Systematic Financial Management LP Takes Position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Systematic Financial Management LP acquired a new position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 18,886 shares of the restaurant operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,445,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Brinker International by 96.2% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 416 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in Brinker International by 33.2% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 986 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC lifted its stake in Brinker International by 1,265.2% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 1,884 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $136,000 after acquiring an additional 1,746 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Brinker International by 1,111.8% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,266 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $164,000 after acquiring an additional 2,079 shares during the period. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter worth about $166,000.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other news, CFO Michaela M. Ware sold 3,753 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.02, for a total transaction of $386,634.06. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 23,071 shares in the company, valued at $2,376,774.42. This trade represents a 13.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.72% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Brinker International from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Thursday. They set a "buy" rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Brinker International from $76.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Brinker International from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Brinker International from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and increased their price target for the company from $80.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $89.63.

Brinker International Stock Performance

NYSE:EAT traded down $0.87 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $129.90. The company's stock had a trading volume of 807,949 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,430,037. The firm has a market cap of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 2.51. Brinker International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $37.25 and a fifty-two week high of $133.82. The firm's 50 day moving average is $105.16 and its 200-day moving average is $81.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.54, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.26.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The restaurant operator reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.10 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 4.11% and a negative return on equity of 839.19%. The business's revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.28 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.