Kazazian Asset Management LLC Invests $4.80 Million in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Kazazian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 36,301 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $4,802,000. Brinker International accounts for 3.7% of Kazazian Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International during the 4th quarter valued at $978,000. Xponance Inc. lifted its position in shares of Brinker International by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 3,215 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $425,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Brinker International by 327.4% during the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 103,019 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $13,628,000 after acquiring an additional 78,917 shares during the period. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International during the 4th quarter valued at $1,871,000. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International during the 4th quarter valued at $546,000.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on EAT. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $108.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Brinker International from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $70.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $140.18.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Brinker International news, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total transaction of $1,089,963.72. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 11,107 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,086,561.02. This represents a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $4,470,259.20. This trade represents a 21.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 20,802 shares of company stock valued at $3,752,464. 1.72% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Brinker International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $133.39 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $155.29 and its 200 day moving average is $123.00. 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 company has a market capitalization of $5.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.56. Brinker International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $43.37 and a fifty-two week high of $192.22.

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