Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Trading 8.8% Higher – Here’s What Happened

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)’s stock price traded up 8.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $240.86 and last traded at $240.86. Approximately 1,077,220 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 7% from the average daily volume of 1,162,836 shares. The stock had previously closed at $221.38.

More Brinker International News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Brinker reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $1.54 billion, above the $1.53 billion consensus estimate, while revenue grew 5.1% year over year. Chili’s continued to drive performance, marking five consecutive years of same-store sales growth and a cumulative 71% increase over that period. Brinker fiscal 2026 results and fiscal 2027 guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share guidance of $12.60 to $13.40 topped the $12.47 analyst consensus, while revenue guidance of $6.2 billion to $6.3 billion exceeded the $6.1 billion consensus. The outlook suggests management expects continued sales strength and operating leverage. Bank of America maintains Buy rating
• Positive Sentiment: Brinker announced expanded share buybacks, providing an additional potential support for per-share earnings and signaling management confidence in future cash generation. Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating, and UBS raised its price target to $260 while maintaining a Buy rating. UBS raises Brinker price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS was $3.07, up from $2.30 a year earlier. Results were described as matching the Zacks consensus, although other estimates placed expectations at $3.10, indicating only a marginal earnings miss. Brinker matches Q4 earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Brinker’s elevated valuation remains a risk. A recent analysis argued that the stock’s strong rally has increased the need for new growth opportunities beyond its current Chili’s momentum, potentially limiting upside if sales trends moderate. Brinker valuation analysis

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on EAT shares. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $170.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $205.00 to $207.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $189.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Brinker International from $177.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Brinker International has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $196.75.

Brinker International Trading Up 12.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 0.40 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $180.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $159.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.65 billion, a PE ratio of 24.34, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.23.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.53 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 123.22% and a net margin of 8.07%.Brinker International’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.30 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 10.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EAT. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 58.5% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 225 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Rezny Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Brinker International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Rezny Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,738 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,685,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its position in Brinker International by 45.1% during the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 299 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 2,047 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smith Group Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 0.5% in the second quarter. Smith Group Asset Management LLC now owns 20,669 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $3,472,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the last quarter.

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.