Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Lowered to Neutral Rating by Northcoast Research

Northcoast Research downgraded shares of Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report published on Friday, Marketbeat reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Stephens upped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $220.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on Brinker International from $204.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Mizuho boosted their target price on Brinker International from $175.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Brinker International from $220.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on Brinker International from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $234.35.

Brinker International Stock Performance

Shares of EAT opened at $237.42 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.18 billion, a PE ratio of 21.80, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.45. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $186.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $160.73. Brinker International has a 52 week low of $100.30 and a 52 week high of $253.71.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.09 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.53 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 122.35% and a net margin of 8.39%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. Research analysts expect that Brinker International will post 13.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Brinker International by 570.4% during the fourth quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 181 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 58.5% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 225 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 45.1% during the 4th quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 299 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the last quarter.

More Brinker International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Brinker International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal fourth-quarter results were broadly encouraging: revenue exceeded expectations, EPS increased 23.3% year over year, and Chili’s delivered strong sales and traffic growth with expanding margins. However, reported EPS was slightly below consensus in the company’s earnings release. Brinker Q4 Earnings Meet Estimates, Revenues Beat on Chili’s Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s fiscal 2027 outlook calls for $12.60-$13.40 in EPS, supported in part by an extra 53rd operating week. Continued Chili’s traffic gains, restaurant reimages and cost control will determine whether the company can meet or exceed that guidance. EAT’s Fiscal 2027 Guidance Gets a Boost From the 53rd Operating Week
• Positive Sentiment: Several firms raised their price targets following the results, including Bank of America to $310 with a Buy rating, Stephens to $300, Citi to $282, Wells Fargo to $280 and KeyCorp to $275. These revisions reflect increased confidence in Chili’s execution and earnings growth.
• Neutral Sentiment: Brinker’s stock has risen 28.7% over the past month and reached a new 52-week high, raising expectations. Investors may now require continued traffic growth, margin delivery and guidance execution for further upside. EAT Jumps 28.7% in a Month
• Negative Sentiment: Northcoast Research downgraded EAT from Buy to Neutral, signaling that the recent rally may have priced in much of the expected improvement.
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts continue to flag elevated valuation, inflation and labor-cost risks, while Maggiano’s slower turnaround could limit consolidated growth. These concerns are contributing to profit-taking despite the favorable operating trends. Is EAT a Buy Now as Chili’s Growth Meets Cost and Valuation Risks?

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc (NYSE: EAT) is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili’s® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano’s® Little Italy full?service restaurants, offering a range of American?style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family?friendly dining experiences. Through dine?in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili’s brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited?time offerings and seasonal beverages.