Empowered Funds LLC Decreases Position in Brinker International, Inc. $EAT

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC reduced its stake in Brinker International by 23.4%, selling 12,058 shares during the first quarter, resulting in ownership of 39,408 shares valued at approximately $5.87 million.
• Brinker International's stock price increased by 2.8%, opening at $158.88 with a market cap of $7.07 billion and a P/E ratio of 19.12.
• CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares at an average price of $157.82, marking a 17.13% decrease in his ownership, while insiders collectively sold 68,325 shares worth over $10.75 million in the last quarter.

Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its holdings in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) by 23.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 39,408 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after selling 12,058 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.09% of Brinker International worth $5,874,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EAT. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 575.0% in the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 189 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at $30,000. Continuum Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 1,714.3% in the first quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 254 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 227.3% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 252 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at $54,000.

Brinker International Price Performance

EAT stock traded up $0.87 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $145.06. The company's stock had a trading volume of 263,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,456,907. The stock has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Brinker International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $73.55 and a fifty-two week high of $192.21. The company's 50 day moving average is $157.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $156.45.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 13th. The restaurant operator reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.42 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 7.12% and a return on equity of 211.86%. Brinker International's quarterly revenue was up 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $6,944,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 212,867 shares in the company, valued at approximately $33,594,669.94. This trade represents a 17.13% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Harriet Edelman sold 8,325 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.00, for a total transaction of $1,307,025.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 28,905 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,538,085. This trade represents a 22.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 68,325 shares of company stock worth $10,754,785 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on EAT. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $186.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 25th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $155.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Brinker International from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $172.59.

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.