Vontobel Holding Ltd. Makes New Investment in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 6,731 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $291,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Brinker International by 68.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 946 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 3.8% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 13,408 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $424,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 100.0% during the third quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 6.5% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,155 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $416,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 30.2% during the third quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 3,501 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $111,000 after purchasing an additional 813 shares in the last quarter.

Brinker International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $48.04 on Wednesday. Brinker International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $28.23 and a 1 year high of $51.72. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.12 billion, a PE ratio of 14.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 2.46.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The restaurant operator reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.08 billion. Brinker International had a negative return on equity of 113.41% and a net margin of 3.63%. Equities research analysts expect that Brinker International, Inc. will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Brinker International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Brinker International from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Brinker International from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Brinker International from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Brinker International from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $43.80.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In related news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 24,163 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.97, for a total value of $1,086,610.11. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 56,661 shares in the company, valued at $2,548,045.17. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Brinker International Company 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.