Zacks Research Issues Positive Forecast for EAT Earnings

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) – Research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2028 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Brinker International in a research note issued on Wednesday, February 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the restaurant operator will earn $2.39 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $2.18. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Brinker International’s current full-year earnings is $8.30 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Brinker International’s FY2028 earnings at $13.01 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $187.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Brinker International from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Brinker International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Brinker International from $215.00 to $200.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $188.56.

Brinker International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $161.24 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $155.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $144.45. Brinker International has a twelve month low of $100.30 and a twelve month high of $187.12.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The restaurant operator reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.53 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $1.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 134.92% and a net margin of 7.98%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.80 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.045-10.850 EPS.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, EVP Michaela M. Ware sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.40, for a total value of $812,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 19,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,235,495.20. This trade represents a 20.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 66,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total value of $10,580,460.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 129,824 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,812,085.44. This represents a 33.70% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 97,678 shares of company stock valued at $15,700,372. Corporate insiders own 1.43% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,819,397 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $691,680,000 after purchasing an additional 73,346 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its stake in Brinker International by 103.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,975,655 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $427,066,000 after buying an additional 1,511,266 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 27.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,393,604 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $176,542,000 after buying an additional 301,912 shares during the last quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP raised its position in shares of Brinker International by 24.2% during the 2nd quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 1,236,583 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $222,993,000 after buying an additional 240,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 96.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,137,863 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $163,306,000 after acquiring an additional 558,799 shares during the last quarter.

Key Stories Impacting Brinker International

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple near‑ and long‑term EPS forecasts (FY2026–FY2028) and issued a “Strong‑Buy” on EAT — a clear bullish catalyst that can lift sentiment and valuation expectations. MarketBeat EAT
• Positive Sentiment: Several Wall Street firms have bumped price targets and ratings recently (Mizuho, Raymond James, TD Cowen, UBS), signaling confidence in Brinker’s growth and supporting buy-side interest. MarketBeat EAT
• Positive Sentiment: Seasonal demand: a Zacks roundup includes EAT as a Valentine’s Day beneficiary alongside confectionery and travel stocks — higher dining and gifting spending (est. record holiday) could boost near‑term traffic and comps. When Love Drives Spending: 5 Stock Picks for Valentine’s Day
• Neutral Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha analysis praises recent results and comp/traffic gains but notes there’s still operational upside — useful context but not an immediate catalyst. Brinker International: Crisp Results, Traffic Gains
• Neutral Sentiment: Brand/marketing activity (Chili’s “Margarita of the Month Club”) could modestly lift traffic and customer engagement, but is unlikely to move the stock materially on its own. Chili’s Margarita Club PR
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks made small mixed estimate moves — several upgrades across FY2026–FY2028 but a tiny Q2‑2028 cut (from $3.31 to $3.30) — overall upbeat but with isolated tweaks investors should note. MarketBeat EAT
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional flows show some new and expanded positions by funds; steady institutional interest can support longer‑term share stability. MarketBeat EAT
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Director James C. Katzman sold 447 shares at roughly $164.19 (SEC filing). The sale is small (~1.5% reduction) but can be interpreted by some investors as a near‑term negative signal. SEC Filing

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc (NYSE: EAT) is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili’s® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano’s® Little Italy full‐service restaurants, offering a range of American‐style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family‐friendly dining experiences. Through dine‐in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili’s brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited‐time offerings and seasonal beverages.