Aurora Investment Counsel Purchases New Holdings in Brinker International, Inc. $EAT

Aurora Investment Counsel purchased a new stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,967 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,256,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at about $206,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. purchased a new position in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at about $492,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. purchased a new position in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at about $565,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 72.9% in the first quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 55,885 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $8,330,000 after purchasing an additional 23,554 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 153.4% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 783 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $117,000 after purchasing an additional 474 shares during the last quarter.

Brinker International Trading Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE EAT opened at $130.04 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $5.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.38. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $91.70 and a 12-month high of $192.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $143.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $153.97.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The restaurant operator reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.47 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.42 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 211.86% and a net margin of 7.12%.The business’s revenue was up 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.61 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on EAT shares. Barclays increased their target price on Brinker International from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Evercore ISI raised Brinker International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $190.00 to $210.00 in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Brinker International from $175.00 to $144.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Brinker International from $149.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on Brinker International from $155.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Brinker International currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $169.06.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total value of $2,503,680.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 12,951 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $6,944,080.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 212,867 shares in the company, valued at $33,594,669.94. The trade was a 17.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 68,325 shares of company stock valued at $10,754,785. Insiders own 1.43% of the company’s stock.

Brinker International Profile

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.