Equities Analysts Offer Predictions for EAT FY2027 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research lowered its FY2027 EPS estimate for Brinker to $12.07 (from $12.23) and maintains a "Hold" rating, while also issuing Q4 2027 and FY2028 earnings estimates.
• Brinker beat expectations in its latest quarter, reporting $2.87 EPS versus $2.53 expected and $1.45 billion in revenue, up 6.9% year‑over‑year.
• Analyst views are mixed but tilted positive—Wells Fargo and Goldman raised targets to $200 while Weiss cut to Hold, with a MarketBeat consensus of Moderate Buy and a $186.61 target—yet insiders have sold roughly $15.7M of stock in the past 90 days even as large funds (UBS, Balyasny) increased holdings.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their FY2027 earnings per share estimates for Brinker International in a research report issued on Tuesday, March 24th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $12.07 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $12.23. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Brinker International's current full-year earnings is $8.30 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Brinker International's Q4 2027 earnings at $3.60 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $2.35 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.93 EPS.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The restaurant operator reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.53 by $0.34. Brinker International had a return on equity of 134.92% and a net margin of 7.98%.The business had revenue of $1.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.80 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.045-10.850 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Friday, March 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Brinker International from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $186.61.

Brinker International Stock Down 6.3%

Shares of EAT opened at $137.88 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.34. Brinker International has a 1 year low of $100.30 and a 1 year high of $187.12. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $151.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.07.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In other news, Director Ramona Hood sold 400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $64,528.00. Following the sale, the director owned 9,066 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,462,527.12. This represents a 4.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Aaron M. White sold 7,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total transaction of $1,155,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 42,756 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,054,740. This trade represents a 14.07% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 97,678 shares of company stock worth $15,700,372 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.43% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. UBS Group AG raised its position in Brinker International by 103.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,975,655 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $427,066,000 after purchasing an additional 1,511,266 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Brinker International by 667.5% during the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,142,263 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $163,938,000 after buying an additional 993,435 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $83,603,000. Congress Asset Management Co. bought a new position in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $80,518,000. Finally, Capital World Investors raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 96.5% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,137,863 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $163,306,000 after buying an additional 558,799 shares during the period.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc NYSE: EAT is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company's portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili's® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano's® Little Italy full‐service restaurants, offering a range of American‐style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family‐friendly dining experiences. Through dine‐in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili's brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited‐time offerings and seasonal beverages.

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