Lazard Asset Management LLC Buys 4,330 Shares of Brinker International, Inc. $EAT

Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) by 43.3% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 14,337 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after buying an additional 4,330 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Brinker International were worth $2,047,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Aberdeen Group plc raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 8.7% in the fourth quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 136,564 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $19,600,000 after purchasing an additional 10,891 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in Brinker International during the first quarter worth about $3,855,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 78.0% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 143,484 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $20,568,000 after purchasing an additional 62,878 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in Brinker International by 155.9% in the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 33,416 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $4,803,000 after purchasing an additional 20,356 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Advisors Network LLC increased its stake in Brinker International by 357.3% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 7,550 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,078,000 after buying an additional 5,899 shares during the last quarter.

Brinker International Price Performance

Brinker International stock opened at $213.76 on Monday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $169.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $156.02. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $100.30 and a 12 month high of $214.23. The company has a market cap of $9.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.96, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on EAT. Weiss Ratings upgraded Brinker International from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 16th. Barclays lifted their price target on Brinker International from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Stephens initiated coverage on Brinker International in a research report on Friday, July 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $220.00 price objective on the stock. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Brinker International from $177.00 to $204.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Brinker International from $205.00 to $207.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brinker International currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $193.25.

Brinker International Company Profile

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.