Brinker International, Inc. $EAT Stake Increased by Woodline Partners LP

Key Points

• Woodline Partners LP has significantly increased its stake in Brinker International by 112.8% during the first quarter, owning a total of 82,415 shares valued at approximately $12.28 million.
• Brinker International reported an earnings per share of $2.49 for the last quarter, surpassing expectations by $0.02 and achieving a 21.0% revenue increase year-over-year, with total revenue reaching $1.46 billion.
• Several institutional investors, including Westfield Capital Management and Dimensional Fund Advisors, have also increased their holdings in Brinker International, indicating growing interest from multiple major investors.

Woodline Partners LP boosted its position in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) by 112.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 82,415 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after acquiring an additional 43,678 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP owned about 0.19% of Brinker International worth $12,284,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Brinker International by 575.0% during the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 189 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Brinker International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in Brinker International by 227.3% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 252 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Brinker International by 1,714.3% during the 1st quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 254 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Brinker International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $54,000.

Brinker International Stock Performance

Brinker International stock traded up $0.81 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $145.00. 263,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,456,907. The firm's 50 day moving average is $157.88 and its 200 day moving average is $156.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market cap of $6.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.43. Brinker International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $73.55 and a 52-week high of $192.21.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last issued 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 firm had revenue of $1.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.42 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 7.12% and a return on equity of 211.86%. The firm's revenue was up 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.61 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on EAT. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Brinker International from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 16th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $155.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $186.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $172.59.

Insider Activity

In other news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total transaction of $2,503,680.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 12,951 shares in the company, valued at $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Harriet Edelman sold 8,325 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 14th. The stock was 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 approximately $4,538,085. This trade represents a 22.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 68,325 shares of company stock worth $10,754,785 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

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.