Brinker Intl' Shares Gain Tuesday On Wunderlich Upgrade

Brinker International Inc.

shares trended up Tuesday after an analyst upgraded the shares citing its recent performance in a tough industry. Wunderlich's Robert M. Derrington took the action on the restaurant chain despite what he called weak consumer spending, encroaching competition and widespread industry discounting. Eat's lead restaurant brand Chili's Grill & Bar posted same store sales growth of 2.5 percent in the recent quarter while its Maggiano's Little Italy brand grew comps 1.2 percent. That compares with an industry wide average decline of 0.9 percent for the same period. Derrington upgraded Brinker to Buy from Hold and raised his target to $55 a share from $52. Upgrades to Chili's menu and "service initiatives" have the company well positioned for continued growth in fiscal 2015, Derrington said, citing its new Top-Shelf Beef and/or Chicken Enchiladas. The company forecast fiscal 2015 same-store sales growth of 1 percent to 2 percent and earnings of between $3 and $3.15 a share. Brinker gained 1.6 percent recently, trading at $48.28 a share.