Baupost Group LLC MA Reduces Holdings in Restaurant Brands International Inc. $QSR

Baupost Group LLC MA lowered its stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) (TSE:QSR) by 2.1% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 8,080,112 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after selling 172,750 shares during the quarter. Restaurant Brands International makes up about 10.4% of Baupost Group LLC MA’s investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. Baupost Group LLC MA’s holdings in Restaurant Brands International were worth $551,325,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in Restaurant Brands International in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in Restaurant Brands International by 1,922.2% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 364 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares in the last quarter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA acquired a new stake in Restaurant Brands International in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in Restaurant Brands International by 50.4% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 639 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC boosted its holdings in Restaurant Brands International by 20.6% in the fourth quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 924 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.29% of the company’s stock.

Restaurant Brands International Stock Up 1.5%

Restaurant Brands International stock opened at $74.99 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.04 billion, a PE ratio of 26.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.49. Restaurant Brands International Inc. has a 12 month low of $61.33 and a 12 month high of $81.96. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $76.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) (TSE:QSR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The restaurant operator reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.03. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 32.80% and a net margin of 9.96%.The firm had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Restaurant Brands International Inc. will post 4.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Restaurant Brands International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 23rd. Restaurant Brands International’s payout ratio is presently 91.55%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Jeffrey Housman sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.48, for a total transaction of $1,469,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 162,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,909,417.96. The trade was a 10.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Jill Granat sold 25,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.09, for a total value of $1,877,250.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 478,845 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $35,956,471.05. The trade was a 4.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 350,000 shares of company stock valued at $26,198,650 in the last three months. Company insiders own 1.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim raised their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Stifel Nicolaus raised Restaurant Brands International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $90.00 in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Citigroup lowered their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $88.00 to $84.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Restaurant Brands International from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, May 28th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $83.54.

About Restaurant Brands International

Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE: QSR) is a global quick-service restaurant company formed through the combination of established brands. The company’s principal holdings include Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, each of which operates under its own brand identity and menu. Restaurant Brands International’s business is centered on developing and expanding these franchised restaurant systems, supporting franchisees with brand management, supply chain coordination, and marketing programs.

RBI’s restaurants offer a range of quick-service food and beverage products: Burger King is known for its flame-grilled hamburgers and sandwiches, Tim Hortons for coffee, baked goods and breakfast items, and Popeyes for Louisiana-style fried chicken and seafood.