Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Given New $160.00 Price Target at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) had its price target increased by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $140.00 to $160.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the restaurant operator’s stock.

EAT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Argus upgraded Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. Bank of America raised their target price on Brinker International from $97.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Brinker International in a report on Thursday, December 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Bank Of America (Bofa) lifted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $94.00 to $97.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Wedbush raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $140.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $135.48.

Brinker International Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $182.37 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $138.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $101.23. Brinker International has a 12-month low of $40.50 and a 12-month high of $184.19. The firm has a market cap of $8.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 2.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.54.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a return on equity of 16,722.22% and a net margin of 5.45%. Analysts predict that Brinker International will post 7.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Brinker International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its stake in Brinker International by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 200 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Brinker International by 123.9% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 309 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $83,000. Xponance Inc. purchased a new position in Brinker International during the second quarter worth $202,000. Finally, Burford Brothers Inc. bought a new position in Brinker International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $203,000.

About Brinker International

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.