Alright, let’s dive into this tangled mess of stock markets and spicy food. So, Goldman Sachs is all “yeah, we’re sticking with Brinker International” — even though folks are tossing the stock out like last week’s leftovers. Why? Brinker owns Chili’s and Maggiano’s, and they just announced third-quarter earnings or something: $2.66 a share, $1.43 billion in revenue. Apparently, that’s more silver linings than the $2.56 on $1.38 billion analysts expected.
But plot twist, the stock still nosedived 15% on Tuesday. Investors probably thinking it’s all just a flash in the pan. Anyway, the stock’s just 3% higher than where it kicked off this year. Meanwhile, Goldman’s Christine Cho is like “nah, keep buying this stuff.” She even nudged her 12-month price target up a buck to $191, hinting at a possible 40% rally. Optimistic much?
Cho’s big on Chili’s; she believes it’s doing some acrobatics with sales without splashing out on new menus. I mean, they’re moving, despite the same menu. Oddly impressive, right? And she’s kinda jazzed about some viral things they’re doing — menu tweaks, investing in the vibes, etc. Even with the tricky sales growth shortages coming, she sees them landing on their feet.
And then there’s Maggiano’s, another Brinker family member. Seems the Chili’s magic might spill over there too. Cho’s thinking simpler, better recipes will work wonders, ditching discounts like old shoes. The restaurant makeover plan sounds like a home reno show — fixing menus, boosting service, and maybe slapping a new coat of paint around.
So, wrap your head around all this — Goldman’s holding steady, Christine’s seeing rainbows where others see storm clouds, and the casual diner at Chili’s probably has no clue there’s stock drama playing out above their sizzling fajitas.
