KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New $1.18 Million Investment in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 8,900 shares of the restaurant operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,177,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in EAT. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC grew its stake in Brinker International by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 200 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 3,274 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $433,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Brinker International by 123.9% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 309 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in Brinker International by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 12,989 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,718,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the period. Finally, Optimist Retirement Group LLC raised its position in Brinker International by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 3,256 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $249,000 after buying an additional 187 shares during the last quarter.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Brinker International news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The shares were 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 directly owns 26,752 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,470,259.20. This trade represents a 21.90 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total value of $1,089,963.72. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,107 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,086,561.02. This represents a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 20,802 shares of company stock worth $3,752,464. 1.72% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Brinker International Price Performance

NYSE:EAT traded down $16.48 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $138.78. 2,563,463 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,443,545. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $156.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $128.85. Brinker International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $43.37 and a 52-week high of $192.22. The company has a market cap of $6.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a return on equity of 879.47% and a net margin of 5.45%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $162.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com raised Brinker International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. KeyCorp cut Brinker International from an "overweight" rating to a "sector weight" rating and set a $115.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $140.18.

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.