Zacks Research Issues Positive Estimate for EAT Earnings

Key Points

• Brinker International's Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimate has been increased by Zacks Research from $1.52 to $1.67, while the full-year earnings consensus is $8.30 per share.
• Recent analyst ratings show a mix of upgrades, with Evercore ISI raising their target price from $180 to $190, reflecting positive sentiment around the company's stock.
• Brinker International reported Q1 earnings of $2.49 EPS, surpassing analysts' expectations, and announced revenue growth of 21.0% year-over-year.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Brinker International in a note issued to investors on Thursday, August 28th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $1.67 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.52. 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 Q3 2026 earnings at $2.85 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $9.97 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.98 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $3.18 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.90 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.29 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.34 EPS.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The restaurant operator reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.02. Brinker International had a return on equity of 211.86% and a net margin of 7.12%.The business had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.42 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. Brinker International's revenue was up 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS.

EAT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Barclays boosted their target price on Brinker International from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Wall Street Zen cut Brinker International from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th. Evercore ISI raised Brinker International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $190.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group raised their target price on Brinker International from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Brinker International from $149.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $172.59.

Brinker International Stock Performance

NYSE:EAT traded up $1.63 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $160.69. The company's stock had a trading volume of 943,029 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,474,503. Brinker International has a 12-month low of $68.45 and a 12-month high of $192.21. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $162.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $156.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market cap of $7.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.33, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.43.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was 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 $33,594,669.94. This represents a 17.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Harriet Edelman sold 8,325 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.00, for a total value 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. The trade was a 22.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Brinker International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Concord Wealth Partners purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 105.8% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 142 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 575.0% during the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 189 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the first quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the second quarter worth about $33,000.

Brinker International Company Profile

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.