Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) (TSE:QSR) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-three brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $78.9524.

Several brokerages recently commented on QSR. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Restaurant Brands International from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $82.00 price target on Restaurant Brands International in a research note on Friday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Restaurant Brands International from $77.00 to $72.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th.

Restaurant Brands International Stock Performance

Shares of Restaurant Brands International stock opened at $73.45 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $68.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $67.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.12, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.56. Restaurant Brands International has a 52 week low of $58.71 and a 52 week high of $73.70.

Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) (TSE:QSR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The restaurant operator reported $0.96 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.41 billion. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 32.51% and a net margin of 8.23%.The firm’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Restaurant Brands International will post 3.72 EPS for the current year.

Restaurant Brands International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 19th will be given a $0.65 dividend. This is a boost from Restaurant Brands International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 19th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Restaurant Brands International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 105.08%.

Insider Activity at Restaurant Brands International

In related news, insider Axel Schwan sold 34,939 shares of Restaurant Brands International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.51, for a total value of $2,358,731.89. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 194,984 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,163,369.84. The trade was a 15.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Duncan Fulton sold 10,308 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.51, for a total transaction of $695,893.08. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 49,677 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,353,694.27. This represents a 17.18% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 186,401 shares of company stock valued at $12,857,069 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.25% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Restaurant Brands International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Baupost Group LLC MA grew its holdings in Restaurant Brands International by 103.8% during the 3rd quarter. Baupost Group LLC MA now owns 8,252,862 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $529,337,000 after acquiring an additional 4,203,300 shares during the period. Platinum Paramount Investment LTD. bought a new stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International during the 4th quarter valued at about $281,033,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International during the 2nd quarter valued at about $254,948,000. Capital World Investors grew its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 43,525,570 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $2,969,819,000 after purchasing an additional 3,095,167 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in Restaurant Brands International by 9,477.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,997,344 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $198,711,000 after purchasing an additional 2,966,048 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.29% of the company’s stock.

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.