Markets
News
Analysis
User
24/7
Economic Calendar
Education
Data
- Names
- Latest
- Prev
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
No matching data
Latest Views
Latest Views
Trending Topics
To quickly learn market dynamics and follow market focuses in 15 min.
In the world of mankind, there will not be a statement without any position, nor a remark without any purpose.
Inflation, exchange rates, and the economy shape the policy decisions of central banks; the attitudes and words of central bank officials also influence the actions of market traders.
Money makes the world go round and currency is a permanent commodity. The forex market is full of surprises and expectations.
Top Columnists
Enjoy exciting activities, right here at FastBull.
The latest breaking news and the global financial events.
I have 5 years of experience in financial analysis, especially in aspects of macro developments and medium and long-term trend judgment. My focus is maily on the developments of the Middle East, emerging markets, coal, wheat and other agricultural products.
BeingTrader chief Trading Coach & Speaker, 8+ years of experience in the forex market trading mainly XAUUSD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Crude Oil. A confident trader and analyst who aims to explore various opportunities and guide investors in the market. As an analyst I am looking to enhance the trader’s experience by supporting them with sufficient data and signals.
Latest Update
Risk Warning on Trading HK Stocks
Despite Hong Kong's robust legal and regulatory framework, its stock market still faces unique risks and challenges, such as currency fluctuations due to the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the US dollar and the impact of mainland China's policy changes and economic conditions on Hong Kong stocks.
HK Stock Trading Fees and Taxation
Trading costs in the Hong Kong stock market include transaction fees, stamp duty, settlement charges, and currency conversion fees for foreign investors. Additionally, taxes may apply based on local regulations.
HK Non-Essential Consumer Goods Industry
The Hong Kong stock market encompasses non-essential consumption sectors like automotive, education, tourism, catering, and apparel. Of the 643 listed companies, 35% are mainland Chinese, making up 65% of the total market capitalization. Thus, it's heavily influenced by the Chinese economy.
HK Real Estate Industry
In recent years, the real estate and construction sector's share in the Hong Kong stock index has notably decreased. Nevertheless, as of 2022, it retains around 10% market share, covering real estate development, construction engineering, investment, and property management.
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
View All
No data
Not Logged In
Log in to access more features
FastBull Membership
Not yet
Purchase
Log In
Sign Up
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
The most recent trading session ended with Brinker International (EAT) standing at $74.08, reflecting a -1.48% shift from the previouse trading day's closing. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.29%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.25%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.31%.
Shares of the operator of restaurant chains Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy have appreciated by 12.81% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 4.15% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.57%.
The upcoming earnings release of Brinker International will be of great interest to investors. On that day, Brinker International is projected to report earnings of $0.63 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 125%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $1.08 billion, up 6.66% from the prior-year quarter.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $4.64 per share and revenue of $4.58 billion, which would represent changes of +13.17% and +3.68%, respectively, from the prior year.
Furthermore, it would be beneficial for investors to monitor any recent shifts in analyst projections for Brinker International. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the company's business performance and profit potential.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.01% increase. Right now, Brinker International possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at its valuation, Brinker International is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 16.2. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 20.62.
We can also see that EAT currently has a PEG ratio of 1.23. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. Retail - Restaurants stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.19 based on yesterday's closing prices.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 164, placing it within the bottom 36% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
Zacks Investment Research
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. LOCO stock has shown remarkable performance in the past six months, outperforming the S&P 500 and the industry. In the same time frame, LOCO has surged 62.5% compared with the industry’s 2.3% increase and the S&P 500’s 9.3% rise. The company is focused on repositioning itself for growth under the leadership of CEO Liz Williams. Williams, who has been in her role for about six months, is undertaking efforts to modernize the brand and improve unit-level margins.
As of Friday, the stock closed at $13.60, below its 52-week high of $14.25 but above its 52-week low of $8.11. It also outperformed other industry players like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG, up 1.2%, Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR, down 14.1%, and Brinker International, Inc. EAT, up 49.5% in the past six months.
Stock Price Performance
Technical indicators suggest continued strong performance for LOCO. The stock is trading above its 50-day moving averages, signaling robust upward momentum and price stability. This technical strength underscores positive market sentiment and confidence in LOCO's financial health and prospects.
50-Day Moving Averages
Factors Favoring LOCO Stock Surge
The company is benefiting from an increase in system-wide comparable restaurant sales. In the fiscal second quarter, LOCO reported a 4.5% increase in system-wide comparable restaurant sales, driven by their iconic Fire-Grilled Chicken, focus on value offerings and consistent operations.
El Pollo Loco is taking a strategic approach to its cost-saving measures, ensuring that food quality and customer experience are enhanced throughout the process. The company made strategic hires, including a new chief development officer, to streamline operations and reduce unit build costs. These efforts are expected to improve franchise growth and financial performance in the coming years. A new prototype design is expected to reduce the unit build cost to $1.8 million, which will further fuel franchise growth in 2025.
By leveraging fresh leadership perspectives and the expertise of long-standing team members, LOCO aims to realize the benefits of these initiatives by fourth-quarter 2024. These savings are expected to help balance the investments being made. With the progress achieved so far and a clear plan for the year ahead, the company is optimistic about reaching 18% restaurant contribution margins by 2025, strengthening its confidence in sustainably achieving 18-20% margins in the future.
El Pollo Loco relaunched its fire-grilled burritos and introduced new creamy chipotle sauce and queso blanco at competitive price points, enhancing the value perception of its menu. This contributed to positive feedback and sales growth.
To drive growth, a new chief development officer and franchisee development incentives were introduced, to accelerate expansion in 2025. Management is committed to building a strong franchise pipeline and proving the brand’s geographic scalability.
Estimate Revision Favoring the LOCO Stock
Reflecting the positive sentiment around LOCO, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has seen upward revisions. In the past 60 days, analysts have raised their estimates for the current and next fiscal by 12.7% to 80 cents and 14.1% to 89 cents, respectively.
LOCO Trading at a Discount
The company is currently valued at a discount compared with the industry on a forward 12-month P/E basis. LOCO’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.7, significantly lower than the industry’s ratio of 24.57 and the S&P 500's ratio of 21.45.
P/E (F12M)
Conclusion
Despite the stock's impressive gain in the past six months, investors can still consider buying the stock. Strategic leadership under Williams and successful cost-saving initiatives are expected to improve margins and boost franchise growth. With the company's forward-thinking approach, including new menu innovations and unit-build cost reductions, along with upward revisions in earnings estimates and a favorable P/E valuation compared with the industry, the Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) company presents a compelling opportunity for long-term growth at a discounted price.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Investment Research
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Brinker International (EAT). Shares have added about 3.3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Brinker International due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Brinker Q4 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Beat
Brinker reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues beating the same. However, the top and the bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.
Earnings & Revenue Discussion
In the quarter under review, Brinker reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.61, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.65. The company reported an adjusted EPS of $1.39 in the prior-year quarter.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, total revenues of $1,208.2 million outpaced the consensus mark of $1,158 million. The top line increased 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. EAT gained from the solid performance of Chili's.
Chili's
In the fiscal fourth quarter, revenues in the Chili’s segment rose 13.7% year over year to $1,084.4 million. The upside was driven by increased menu pricing and higher traffic.
Chili's restaurant expenses (as a percentage of company sales) in the fiscal fourth quarter were 84.9% compared with 87.1% in the prior-year quarter. The downside was caused by sales leverage, marginally overshadowed by an increase in hourly labor, repairs and maintenance, advertising and manager salaries, as well as bonus expenses.
Chili's company-owned traffic rose 5.9% year over year in the quarter under discussion. The metric fell 7.7% in the prior-year quarter.
The segment’s company-owned comps rose 14.8% in the fiscal fourth quarter from the year-ago quarter’s levels.
At Chili’s, domestic comps (including company-owned and franchised) moved up 4.4% year over year against a decline of 6.9% reported in the prior-year period.
Maggiano’s
Maggiano’s sales in the fiscal fourth quarter increased 2% year over year to $123.8 million. Favorable comparable restaurant sales, courtesy of increased menu pricing and favorable menu item mix, drove the upside. Comps in the segment rose 2.5% year over year.
Traffic in the quarter under discussion fell 8.9% year over year. The metric was down 0.2% in the prior-year quarter.
Maggiano's company restaurant expenses (as a percentage of company sales) in the fiscal fourth quarter were 84% compared with 82.7% a year ago. The downside was caused by menu pricing partially offset by increased repairs and maintenance expenses.
Operating Results
In the quarter under review, total operating costs and expenses came in at $1.13 billion compared with $1.01 billion reported in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted restaurant operating margin, as a percentage of company sales, was 15.2% compared with 13.4% reported in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA in the fiscal fourth quarter came in at $141.8 million compared with $114.5 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Jun 26, 2024, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $64.6 million compared with $15.1 million as of Jun 28, 2023. As of Jun 26, 2024, long-term debt was $786.3 million compared with $912.2 million as of Jun 28, 2023.
Fiscal 2025 Outlook
In the fiscal 2025, management anticipates total revenues to be in the range of $4.55-$4.62 billion. Capital expenditures are expected in the $195-$215 million band. EAT projects fiscal 2025 EPS in the range of $4.35-$4.75.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
The consensus estimate has shifted 7.46% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Brinker International has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Brinker International has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Performance of an Industry Player
Brinker International belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Another stock from the same industry, Papa John's (PZZA), has gained 4.6% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended June 2024.
Papa John's reported revenues of $507.89 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -1.3%. EPS of $0.61 for the same period compares with $0.59 a year ago.
Papa John's is expected to post earnings of $0.40 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -24.5%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -4.4%.
Papa John's has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of B.
Zacks Investment Research
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores?
Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value Score
For value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth Score
Growth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum Score
Momentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM Score
If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +25.41% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Brinker International (EAT)
Based in Dallas, TX, Brinker International owns, operates, develops and franchises various restaurants under Chili’s Grill & Bar (Chili’s) and Maggiano’s Little Italy (Maggiano’s) brands. The company took over Chili’s, Inc., a Texas-based corporation, in September 1983 and completed the acquisition of Maggiano’s in August 1995.
EAT is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 15; value investors should take notice.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2025, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.09 to $4.64 per share. EAT also boasts an average earnings surprise of 211%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, EAT should be on investors' short list.
Zacks Investment Research
Brinker International (EAT) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this operator of restaurant chains Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy have returned +4.6%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, which Brinker International falls in, has gained 6.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate Revisions
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Brinker International is expected to post earnings of $0.63 per share, indicating a change of +125% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +7.5% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.64 points to a change of +13.2% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -2%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.12 indicates a change of +10.3% from what Brinker International is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -1%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Brinker International is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth Forecast
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Brinker International, the consensus sales estimate of $1.08 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +6.7%. The $4.58 billion and $4.72 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +3.7% and +3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Brinker International reported revenues of $1.21 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +12.3%. EPS of $1.61 for the same period compares with $1.39 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +4.33%. The EPS surprise was -2.42%.
Over the last four quarters, Brinker International surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Brinker International is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Brinker International. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Zacks Investment Research
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Poster Maker
Affiliate Program
The risk of loss in trading financial instruments such as stocks, FX, commodities, futures, bonds, ETFs and crypto can be substantial. You may sustain a total loss of the funds that you deposit with your broker. Therefore, you should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources.
No decision to invest should be made without thoroughly conducting due diligence by yourself or consulting with your financial advisors. Our web content might not suit you since we don't know your financial conditions and investment needs. Our financial information might have latency or contain inaccuracy, so you should be fully responsible for any of your trading and investment decisions. The company will not be responsible for your capital loss.
Without getting permission from the website, you are not allowed to copy the website's graphics, texts, or trademarks. Intellectual property rights in the content or data incorporated into this website belong to its providers and exchange merchants.