Principal Financial Group Inc. Purchases 14,634 Shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 287,456 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 14,634 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.65% of Brinker International worth $38,028,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of EAT. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Brinker International by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 113,946 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $8,720,000 after acquiring an additional 12,800 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $18,330,000. Burford Brothers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $203,000. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 12,015 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $920,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smith Group Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 24.5% in the 3rd quarter. Smith Group Asset Management LLC now owns 11,594 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $887,000 after buying an additional 2,283 shares in the last quarter.

Brinker International Stock Down 5.7 %

Shares of EAT opened at $144.74 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.08, a PEG ratio of 0.52 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’s fifty day moving average price is $150.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $112.83. Brinker International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $43.37 and a 52 week high of $192.21.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 earnings per share (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%. On average, analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Brinker International from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Bank Of America (Bofa) increased their target price on Brinker International from $94.00 to $97.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Argus raised Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Brinker International from $162.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Northcoast Research raised Brinker International from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $215.00 target price for the company 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Brinker International has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $140.18.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other news, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 26,752 shares in the company, valued at $4,470,259.20. This represents a 21.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 three months. Insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Brinker International Profile

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.