Quantbot Technologies LP Boosts Stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) by 341.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 67,575 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after purchasing an additional 52,257 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP owned 0.15% of Brinker International worth $8,939,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in EAT. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $410,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Brinker International by 23.5% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 272,822 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $20,879,000 after acquiring an additional 51,927 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the 4th quarter valued at $661,000. Ifrah Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the 4th quarter worth $280,000. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Brinker International by 399.9% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 24,102 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,845,000 after purchasing an additional 19,281 shares in the last quarter.

Brinker International Price Performance

NYSE EAT traded up $3.78 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $157.93. 1,339,959 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,398,224. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $43.37 and a 12-month high of $192.22. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $125.74. The company has a market capitalization of $7.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.56.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Brinker International from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Brinker International from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $70.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Wedbush raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $140.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Brinker International from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $215.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Brinker International has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $140.18.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other Brinker International 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 transaction of $1,253,250.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 26,752 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,470,259.20. The trade was a 21.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total value of $1,089,963.72. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,107 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,086,561.02. This trade represents a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 20,802 shares of company stock worth $3,752,464 in the last three months. Insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

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.