BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: CHCO, CXO, EAT, EDMC, GPC, NVDA, PJC, WERN ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/13/analyst-calls-eat-stra-gpc-nvda-cw/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/13/analyst-calls-eat-stra-gpc-nvda-cw/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/13/analyst-calls-eat-stra-gpc-nvda-cw/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • BMO Capital upgraded Concho (CXO) to outperform from market perform and has a $73 price target on the stock. The firm cites valuation and sustainable growth for the upgrade.
  • Sterne Agee upgraded City Holding (CHCO) to buy from neutral based on valuation. The firm has a $34 target on the stock.
  • UBS upgraded Werner Enterprises (WERN) to neutral from sell based on valuation. The firm raised its price target to $21.50 from $21.
  • Nvidia (NVDA) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Colfax (CFX) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
  • Camden Property (CPT) was upgraded to top pick from outperform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CHCO, CXO, EAT, EDMC, GPC, NVDA, PJC, WERN ...

Analyst Calls: CHCO, CXO, EAT, EDMC, GPC, NVDA, PJC, WERN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPAdvace Auto PartsAlphatecanalyst upgradesATECBrinkerBRinker InternationalCamden Properties TrustCFXCHCOCity HoldingColfaxConchoConstant ContactCPTCTCTcurtiss-wrightCWCXOdowngradesEATEDMCEducation ManagementGenuine PartsGPCHPPHudson PacificinitiationsinthenewsNVDANvidiaOncothyreonONTYPiper JaffrayPJCSFSFSTRAStrayer EducationSuccessFactorsWenerWERNWerner EnterprisesFri, 13 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brinker Int'l (EAT) takes Chili's to Russia]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/19/brinker-intl-eat-takes-chilis-to-russia/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/19/brinker-intl-eat-takes-chilis-to-russia/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/19/brinker-intl-eat-takes-chilis-to-russia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EAT logoBrinker International (NYSE: EAT - option chain) stock is falling today after the company announced it has entered into a deal to open 25 Chili's Bar and Grill casual dining restaurants in Russia, starting with the first in late 2010. Traders are not reacting well to this news, but in my opinion a downturn is the best time to consider expansion if you can afford the costs. If you think this stock won't be falling too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged play on EAT.

This morning, EAT opened at $13.85. So far today the stock has hit a low of $13.68 and a high of $13.97. As of 11:35, EAT is trading at $13.80, down 27 cents (-1.9%). The chart for EAT looks neutral and S&P gives EAT a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Continue reading Brinker Int'l (EAT) takes Chili's to Russia

Brinker Int'l (EAT) takes Chili's to Russia originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brinker internationalBrinkerInternationalChilisEATinthenewsInvestors ObserverInvestorsObserveroptionsRussiaWed, 19 Aug 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Citigroup upgraded Lennar (NYSE: LEN) to Buy from Hold as it believes the company's near-term liquidity profile is improved following the $400M debt issuance. The firm raised its target price to $12 from $11.
  • Jefferies upgraded Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) to Buy from Hold as it believes jack-up drillers will continue to outperform deepwater names. The firm raised its target price to $27 from $20.
  • Keefe Bruyette upgraded First Financial (NASDAQ: FFIN) to Market Perform from Underperform to reflect more positive loan data for the Texas banks. The firm raised its target price on shares to $44 from $38.
  • MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at JMP Securities.
  • Brinker (NYSE: EAT) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AchillionACHNAllegheny EnergyAlleghenyEnergyAMCCANAnglogoldApplied MicroAppliedMicroAUAutoNationAYEBrinkerbrinker internationalBrinkerInternationalDean FoodsDeanFoodsDFEATFFINFirst FinancialFirstFinancialGILDgileadgilead sciencesGileadSciencesj. crewJ.CrewJCGJinpan InternationalJinpanInternationalJSTLENLennarMGMMGM MirageMgmMirageMorgan StanleyMorganStanleyMSRDCRowan CompaniesRowanCompaniesSIISmith InternationalSmithInternationalUAUnder ArmourUnderArmourMon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Family Dollar, Bed Bath & Beyond, Alcoa, Wells Fargo and more]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/11/earnings-highlights-family-dollar-bed-bath-and-beyond-alcoa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/11/earnings-highlights-family-dollar-bed-bath-and-beyond-alcoa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/11/earnings-highlights-family-dollar-bed-bath-and-beyond-alcoa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Family Dollar, Bed Bath & Beyond, Alcoa, Wells Fargo and more

Earnings highlights: Family Dollar, Bed Bath & Beyond, Alcoa, Wells Fargo and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAAlcoaBBBYBed Bath and BeyondBLUDBrinker InternationalConstellation BrandsearningsEATExcel MaritimeEXMFamily DollarFDOICEImmucorIntercontinental ExchangeJim CramerJoS A BankJOSBMorgan StanleyMOSMosaicMOVMovadoMSPriceSmartPSMTResearch in MotionRIMRIMMSTZWD-40WDFCWells FargoWFCSat, 11 Apr 2009 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Brinker International (EAT) forecasts strong Q3 earnings]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/07/brinker-international-eat-forecasts-strong-q3-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/07/brinker-international-eat-forecasts-strong-q3-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/07/brinker-international-eat-forecasts-strong-q3-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EAT logoBrinker International (NYSE: EAT - option chain) shares are headed higher today after the company forecast third-quarter earnings of 44 to 45 cents per share, well above analysts' estimates of 29 cents per share. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on EAT.

EAT opened this morning at $18.14. So far today the stock has hit a low of $16.93 and a high of $18.20. As of 11:25, EAT is trading at $17.20, up 0.95 (5.8%). The chart for EAT looks bearish and S&P gives EAT a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.

Continue reading Brinker International (EAT) forecasts strong Q3 earnings

Brinker International (EAT) forecasts strong Q3 earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinker InternationalBrinkerInternationalEATforecastinthenewsInvestors ObserverInvestorsObserveroptionsTue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Casual dining outlets may see Olympic slowdown]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/25/casual-dining-outlets-may-see-olympic-slowdown/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/25/casual-dining-outlets-may-see-olympic-slowdown/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/25/casual-dining-outlets-may-see-olympic-slowdown/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EAT logoBrinker International (NYSE: EAT - option chain) shares are headed lower today. Last week, an analyst expressed concerns about potential weakness in the casual dining sector due to families that may have stayed home to watch Olympic coverage rather than going out for dinner. Today, there is some weakness throughout the sector, on stocks like Darden (NYSE: DRI) and Cheescake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) as well. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on EAT.

This morning, EAT opened at $19.34. So far today the stock has hit a low of $18.87 and a high of $19.41. As of 12:15, EAT is trading at $18.95, down 62 cents (-3.2%). The chart for EAT looks neutral and S&P gives EAT a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bear-call credit spread above the $22.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in two months as long as EAT is below $22.50 at October expiration. Brinker would have to rise by more than 18% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

EAT hasn't been above $22.50 since May and has shown resistance around $21 recently.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.

DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in EAT, DRI, or CAKE.

Casual dining outlets may see Olympic slowdown originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brinker internationalBrinkerInternationalCAKEDRIEATinthenewsinvestors observerInvestorsObserveroptionsMon, 25 Aug 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Brinker bakes a $131.5 deal for Romano's Macaroni Grill]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/19/brinker-bakes-a-131-5-deal-for-romanos-macaroni-grill/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/19/brinker-bakes-a-131-5-deal-for-romanos-macaroni-grill/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/19/brinker-bakes-a-131-5-deal-for-romanos-macaroni-grill/#commentsFiled under:

One of my favorite restaurants is Romano's Macaroni Grill, which has a great ambiance and menu. Well, the private equity firm -- Golden Gate Capital - also likes the place. In fact, it has agreed to pay $131.5 million for a majority stake. The current owner is Brinker International Inc. (NYSE: EAT), which is the operator of Chili's Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little Italy and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.

Romano's has 226 locations across the U.S. But while they are high-quality, the fact remains that the current economic environment has had a dampening effect and in the prior quarter same-store sells fell 5.7%. Brinker has actually tried to sell the division for about a year. Interestingly enough, there will also be an impairment charge for $42 million to $47 million on the transaction.

Brinker will keep a 20% position. But the most important thing is that the company will get a nice slug of cash - which is certainly much desired nowadays.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Brinker bakes a $131.5 deal for Romano's Macaroni Grill originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinker InternationalBrinkerInternationaleatinthenewsRomanos Macaroni GrillRomanosMacaroniGrillTue, 19 Aug 2008 10:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Benningan's, Steak and Ale go bankrupt as casual dining chains suffer]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/29/benningans-steak-and-ale-go-bankrupt-as-casual-dining-chains-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/29/benningans-steak-and-ale-go-bankrupt-as-casual-dining-chains-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/29/benningans-steak-and-ale-go-bankrupt-as-casual-dining-chains-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Benningan's, the casual dining chain where I had many bad dates, and Steak and Ale, a chain I never visited, have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, underscoring how cash-strapped diners are not finding deals like unlimited breadsticks all that tempting.

The two chains, which are owned by billionaire John Kluge, have been in financial hot water for months, according to The Wall Street Journal. The paper reports that the chains were so broke that they did not have enough money to pay their employees for the rest of the week.

"Metromedia Restaurant Group (Kluge's company) earlier this year violated several terms of a lending agreement with GE Capital Solutions," the Journal reports. "It had been in negotiations with lenders for months to stave off the filing, while closing some stores and looking for a buyer, said two people involved in the matter."

Rising labor costs and soaring prices for food are killing casual dining chains. Cheesecake Factory Inc. (NASDAQ: CAKE) recently reported disappointing second quarter results, which featured the biggest drop in same store sales in the dining chain's history. Last year, activist investor Nelson Peltz acquired a 14% interest in the company. Brinker International Inc. (NYSE: EAT), owner of Chilli's Bar and Grill, and IHOP parent DineEquity Inc. (NYSE: DIN) are both down by double digits this year.

There is no hope for a turnaround in these companies anytime soon. Much like diners in these establishments, investors in these stocks are in for a world of indigestion.

Benningan's, Steak and Ale go bankrupt as casual dining chains suffer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bennigans closingBennigansClosingBrinker internationalBrinkerInternationalcakecommodity pricesCommodityPricesdinDineEquityEatfood inflationFoodInflationinthenewsJohn KlugeJohnKlugesteak and aleSteakAndAleTue, 29 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST