Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Price Target Raised to $50.00

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) had its target price hoisted by UBS Group from $46.00 to $50.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the restaurant operator’s stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on EAT. StockNews.com downgraded Brinker International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Brinker International from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Brinker International from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Brinker International from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Brinker International from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.81.

Brinker International Stock Performance

EAT stock opened at $48.87 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $47.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $41.54. Brinker International has a fifty-two week low of $28.23 and a fifty-two week high of $51.72. The firm has a market cap of $2.16 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 2.46.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The restaurant operator reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.08 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 113.41%. On average, equities analysts predict that Brinker International will post 3.71 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 24,163 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.97, for a total value of $1,086,610.11. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 56,661 shares in the company, valued at $2,548,045.17. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the third quarter worth about $691,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the third quarter worth about $296,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 3.8% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 13,408 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $424,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 100.0% during the third quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, James Investment Research Inc. grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 14.3% during the third quarter. James Investment Research Inc. now owns 22,333 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $705,000 after acquiring an additional 2,794 shares during the last quarter.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.