Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock Price Up 4.8% - Time to Buy?

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) traded up 4.8% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $152.00 and last traded at $151.78. 1,167,833 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 17% from the average session volume of 1,407,118 shares. The stock had previously closed at $144.87.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays upped their target price on Brinker International from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Brinker International from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and increased their price target for the company from $70.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Citigroup increased their price target on Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Brinker International from $162.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded Brinker International from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $215.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $140.18.

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Brinker International Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $152.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $115.10.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a return on equity of 879.47% and a net margin of 5.45%. Equities research analysts expect that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.10, for a total value of $1,253,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 26,752 shares in the company, valued at $4,470,259.20. The trade was a 21.90 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total transaction of $1,089,963.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,107 shares in the company, valued at $2,086,561.02. This trade represents a 34.31 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,802 shares of company stock worth $3,752,464 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Highview Capital Management LLC DE raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE now owns 13,557 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,793,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. PharVision Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Brinker International during the 4th quarter valued at $203,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in Brinker International by 22.4% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 123,349 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $16,318,000 after acquiring an additional 22,535 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP raised its holdings in Brinker International by 110.1% during the 4th quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 38,737 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $5,125,000 after acquiring an additional 20,302 shares during the period. Finally, Twinbeech Capital LP raised its holdings in Brinker International by 18.6% during the 4th quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP now owns 69,201 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $9,155,000 after acquiring an additional 10,844 shares during the period.

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.