Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock Moved Up to “Strong-Buy” by Zacks Research

Zacks Research upgraded shares of Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Monday morning,Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Brinker International’s Q1 2027 earnings at $2.42 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.06 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $13.06 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $2.59 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $3.61 EPS, Q4 2028 earnings at $4.45 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $13.97 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $15.22 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on EAT. Robert W. Baird started coverage on Brinker International in a research report on Monday, August 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $325.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised Brinker International from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, September 11th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 price target on shares of Brinker International in a research note on Friday, September 18th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Brinker International from $175.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners assumed coverage on Brinker International in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. They set a “buy” rating and a $230.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $243.38.

Brinker International Price Performance

NYSE EAT opened at $190.08 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.45, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.25. Brinker International has a 1-year low of $100.30 and a 1-year high of $254.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $219.96 and its 200-day moving average price is $178.16.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.09 by ($0.02). Brinker International had a net margin of 8.39% and a return on equity of 122.35%. The firm had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Brinker International will post 13.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Brinker International

In related news, Director James C. Katzman sold 650 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.09, for a total transaction of $143,058.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 25,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,522,938.46. This trade represents a 2.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michaela M. Ware sold 3,030 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.48, for a total transaction of $707,444.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 17,494 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,084,499.12. This trade represents a 14.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 173,694 shares of company stock worth $41,568,690. Corporate insiders own 1.18% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the second quarter worth $35,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its position in Brinker International by 33,000.0% during the second quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 331 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter valued at $71,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of Brinker International by 881.2% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 471 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $79,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in Brinker International during the second quarter worth about $80,000.

More Brinker International News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple EPS forecasts. The firm increased its estimates for Q1 2027 to $2.42 from $2.29, Q1 2028 to $2.59 from $2.49, FY2028 to $13.97 from $13.66, and FY2029 to $15.22 from $14.90. It also made smaller upward revisions for Q4 2027, Q3 2028, and Q4 2028. The revisions indicate improving confidence in Brinker’s earnings trajectory and could support the investment case for EAT. Zacks Research Brokers Raise Earnings Estimates for EAT
• Positive Sentiment: Longer-term earnings expectations remain constructive. Zacks now projects FY2027 EPS of $13.06, FY2028 EPS of $13.97, and FY2029 EPS of $15.22, compared with the current-year consensus of $13.15. These forecasts imply continued earnings growth if Chili’s and Brinker’s broader operating targets are achieved.
• Neutral Sentiment: The stock’s valuation and technical positioning may be contributing to volatility. EAT recently traded below its 50-day moving average of $219.96 but above its 200-day average of $178.16. With the shares having advanced substantially over the past year, investors may be reassessing expectations following the company’s investor-day targets for 4%–6% annual revenue growth, double-digit EPS growth, and annual share repurchases of 3%–5%.
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking and margin concerns remain an overhang. A recent analyst price-target reduction, while maintaining a neutral view, cited potential margin pressure. In addition, reported insider activity showed numerous sales and no purchases during the past six months, which may reinforce near-term investor caution. Why Brinker International Stock Is Falling Today

Brinker International Company Profile

Brinker International, Inc is a Dallas-based restaurant company that owns, operates and franchises casual dining establishments. Its portfolio is led by Chili’s Grill & Bar, a full-service restaurant brand known for burgers, steaks, fajitas, ribs and other American-style menu items, and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which specializes in Italian-American cuisine and operates both restaurants and catering services.

Brinker also developed It’s Just Wings, a virtual restaurant brand offering chicken wings, fries and related items through delivery and takeout.