Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock Price Target Raised at Robert W. Baird

Key Points

• Robert W. Baird raised Brinker International’s price target from $270 to $280 and maintained an “outperform” rating, implying approximately 27.1% upside from the cited share price.
• Brinker reported quarterly adjusted EPS of $2.77, beating the $2.45 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 9.4% year over year to $1.48 billion. Chili’s comparable sales increased 10%, supporting continued growth momentum.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with MarketBeat reporting a “Moderate Buy” consensus and average price target of $248.20; however, insiders sold $41.6 million of stock over the last quarter.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by equities researchers at Robert W. Baird from $270.00 to $280.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an "outperform" rating on the restaurant operator's stock. Robert W. Baird's price target would suggest a potential upside of 27.10% from the company's current price.

EAT has been the topic of a number of other reports. DA Davidson reduced their target price on shares of Brinker International from $240.00 to $210.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Brinker International from $175.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Freedom Broker upgraded Brinker International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Brinker International from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Brinker International from $224.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $248.20.

Brinker International Trading Up 12.0%

Brinker International stock opened at $220.29 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $210.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $174.06. Brinker International has a 1 year low of $100.30 and a 1 year high of $254.99. The stock has a market cap of $9.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.23, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.25.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 28th. The restaurant operator reported $2.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.46 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 122.35% and a net margin of 8.39%. The company's revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.17 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Brinker International will post 13.20 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP George Felix sold 14,349 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.47, for a total value of $3,407,457.03. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,293 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,494,398.71. This trade represents a 69.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP James Butler sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.37, for a total transaction of $2,403,700.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 9,064 shares in the company, valued at $2,178,713.68. The trade was a 52.45% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 173,694 shares of company stock worth $41,568,690 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.18% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new position in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $91,237,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in Brinker International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,687,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Brinker International by 63.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 413,472 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $69,463,000 after buying an additional 160,939 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Brinker International by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,729,477 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,130,552,000 after buying an additional 145,525 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $17,493,000.

Key Headlines Impacting Brinker International

Here are the key news stories impacting Brinker International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings and revenue exceeded expectations. Brinker reported adjusted EPS of $2.77, above the roughly $2.45–$2.49 consensus range and up from $2.17 a year earlier. Revenue rose 9.4% year over year to $1.48 billion, topping the $1.46 billion estimate. Brinker International fiscal 2027 first-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Chili’s continued to drive comparable-sales growth. The brand posted a 10% increase in same-store sales, its 22nd consecutive quarter of growth. The result follows a 21% increase in the prior-year period and represents 52% cumulative comparable-sales growth over three years, highlighting strong brand momentum despite difficult comparisons. Brinker rallies after Chili’s results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised its fiscal 2027 earnings outlook. Brinker now expects adjusted EPS of $13.30 to $13.90, slightly above the FactSet estimate of $13.28. The upward revision suggests management expects continued sales strength and operating leverage. Brinker fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: The strong report comes after a substantial stock rally: EAT trades well above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and near its 12-month high. This reflects positive momentum but also leaves the shares more exposed to profit-taking if future results or guidance disappoint. Brinker advances on strong first-quarter results

Brinker International Company Profile

Brinker International, Inc is a casual-dining restaurant company that owns, operates and franchises restaurants in the United States and select international markets. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serves customers through company-operated and franchised locations.

Brinker's principal brands are Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's offers a broad menu of burgers, steaks, ribs, fajitas, Tex-Mex dishes, salads and beverages in a full-service, casual setting.

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