Cibc World Markets Corp Takes Position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

Cibc World Markets Corp bought a new stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 4,124 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $546,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EAT. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new position in Brinker International during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $705,000. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in Brinker International by 399.9% during the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 24,102 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,845,000 after purchasing an additional 19,281 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in Brinker International by 74.4% during the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 56,324 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $4,310,000 after purchasing an additional 24,028 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Brinker International by 21.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 7,600 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $582,000 after purchasing an additional 1,317 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Algert Global LLC raised its position in Brinker International by 252.4% during the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 15,693 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,201,000 after purchasing an additional 11,240 shares during the last quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 6th. The stock was 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 directly owns 34,252 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,435,950.80. The trade was a 17.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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 value of $1,089,963.72. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,107 shares in the company, valued at $2,086,561.02. This trade represents a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 20,802 shares of company stock valued at $3,752,464 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup upped their price target on Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Barclays increased their target price on Brinker International from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Brinker International from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. UBS Group increased their target price on Brinker International from $108.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Brinker International from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $140.18.

Brinker International Stock Down 0.3 %

Brinker International stock opened at $144.93 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $6.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.12, a PEG ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.56. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $124.16. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $43.37 and a 12 month high of $192.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a return on equity of 879.47% and a net margin of 5.45%. Equities analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brinker International 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.