Short Interest in Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) Expands By 23.3%

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR - Get Free Report) TSE: QSR saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,540,000 shares, a growth of 23.3% from the February 28th total of 8,550,000 shares. Approximately 3.3% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,080,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.1 days.

Restaurant Brands International Trading Down 6.2 %

Shares of NYSE QSR traded down $4.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $63.61. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,393,981 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,795,055. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market cap of $20.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.72. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.13. Restaurant Brands International has a 12 month low of $59.67 and a 12 month high of $77.24.

Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR - Get Free Report) TSE: QSR last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The restaurant operator reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.29). Restaurant Brands International had a net margin of 12.15% and a return on equity of 28.53%. On average, analysts anticipate that Restaurant Brands International will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Restaurant Brands International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 4th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. This is a boost from Restaurant Brands International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. Restaurant Brands International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 77.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th. CIBC cut their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $86.00 to $78.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Restaurant Brands International from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $83.00 to $80.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $77.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at Restaurant Brands International

In related news, CFO Sami A. Siddiqui sold 12,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.12, for a total value of $851,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 235,228 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,023,731.36. This trade represents a 5.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Duncan Fulton sold 27,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.66, for a total transaction of $1,778,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 34,822 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,251,590.52. The trade was a 44.13 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 300,226 shares of company stock worth $19,121,223 over the last quarter. 1.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Restaurant Brands International

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in QSR. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in Restaurant Brands International in the first quarter worth about $160,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 473.5% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 24,645 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $1,606,000 after purchasing an additional 20,348 shares in the last quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ bought a new position in shares of Restaurant Brands International in the 4th quarter valued at about $4,325,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Restaurant Brands International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $81,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 110.2% in the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 53,873 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $3,510,000 after acquiring an additional 28,248 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.29% of the company's stock.

Restaurant Brands International Company Profile

Restaurant Brands International Inc operates as a quick-service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS). The company owns and franchises TH chain of donut/coffee/tea restaurants that offer blend coffee, tea, and espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks; and fresh baked goods, including donuts, Timbits, bagels, muffins, cookies and pastries, grilled paninis, classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, and other food products.