Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock Rating Upgraded by Zacks Research

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) was upgraded by investment analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Monday, 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.

EAT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Brinker International from $166.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, August 17th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $224.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Finally, DA Davidson reduced their target price on Brinker International from $240.00 to $210.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $243.38.

Brinker International Stock Performance

Shares of EAT stock opened at $190.08 on Monday. The firm has a market cap 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 52-week low of $100.30 and a 52-week high of $254.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The company’s 50 day moving average is $219.96 and its 200 day moving average is $178.16.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share (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 company had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.30 earnings per share. The company’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, sell-side analysts anticipate that Brinker International will post 13.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, EVP Michaela M. Ware sold 3,030 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.48, for a total value of $707,444.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 17,494 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,084,499.12. This represents a 14.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP James M. Butler sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.37, for a total transaction of $2,403,700.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 9,064 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,178,713.68. The trade was a 52.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 173,694 shares of company stock valued at $41,568,690 in the last quarter. 1.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 18.0% during the second quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 63,795 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $10,718,000 after acquiring an additional 9,733 shares during the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the second quarter worth approximately $2,258,000. Wealth High Governance Capital Ltda acquired a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the second quarter worth approximately $3,710,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of Brinker International by 37.7% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 242,648 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $34,643,000 after acquiring an additional 66,383 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cynosure Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the second quarter worth approximately $766,000.

Brinker International News Summary

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

About Brinker International

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.