PFG Advisors Sells 102 Shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

PFG Advisors decreased its holdings in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) by 1.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,577 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after selling 102 shares during the period. PFG Advisors’ holdings in Brinker International were worth $870,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $146,000. Moran Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $269,000. Amundi increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 553.6% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 51,197 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $7,143,000 after acquiring an additional 43,364 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 93.9% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,164 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $948,000 after acquiring an additional 3,470 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $3,650,000.

Brinker International Stock Down 7.9 %

EAT opened at $134.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.33. Brinker International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $43.37 and a fifty-two week high of $192.22. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $155.44 and its 200 day moving average is $120.78. The stock has a market cap of $5.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.56.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a net margin of 5.45% and a return on equity of 879.47%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Brinker International from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and raised their price target for the company from $70.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Friday, December 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $162.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Argus upgraded shares of Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $140.18.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In related news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.90, for a total transaction of $1,409,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 34,252 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,435,950.80. The trade was a 17.96 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total transaction of $1,089,963.72. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,107 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,086,561.02. This trade represents a 34.31 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 20,802 shares of company stock worth $3,752,464. 1.72% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.