Wells Fargo & Company Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock Price

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) had its target price lowered by Wells Fargo & Company from $280.00 to $270.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “overweight” rating on the restaurant operator’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company’s price target would indicate a potential upside of 42.30% from the stock’s current price.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Brinker International from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Brinker International from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, September 11th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Brinker International from $166.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Brinker International from $175.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $248.29.

Brinker International Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of NYSE EAT opened at $189.73 on Wednesday. Brinker International has a twelve month low of $100.30 and a twelve month high of $254.99. The stock has a market cap of $7.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The company’s fifty day moving average is $215.41 and its 200-day moving average is $181.98.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.09 by ($0.02). Brinker International had a net margin of 8.39% and a return on equity of 122.35%. The firm had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. Brinker International’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Brinker International will post 13.18 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, SVP James Butler sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.37, for a total value of $2,403,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 9,064 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,178,713.68. This represents a 52.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Joseph DePinto sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.39, for a total value of $5,759,750.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 77,812 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,927,106.68. This trade represents a 24.32% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 173,694 shares of company stock worth $41,568,690. Company insiders own 1.18% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Eagle Harbor Asset Management Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in Brinker International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Elevated Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Brinker International by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter. Elevated Financial Group LLC now owns 4,268 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $826,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Burns Matteson Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Brinker International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $674,000. Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Brinker International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $185,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Oklahoma acquired a new position in Brinker International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $218,000.

Brinker International Company Profile

Brinker International, Inc is a casual-dining restaurant company that owns, operates and franchises restaurants in the United States and select international markets. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serves customers through company-operated and franchised locations.

Brinker’s principal brands are Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Chili’s offers a broad menu of burgers, steaks, ribs, fajitas, Tex-Mex dishes, salads and beverages in a full-service, casual setting.