Wunderlich Develops A Larger Appetite For Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) reported first quarter 2015 results on October 21. Revenue of $711.0 million topped the Street's estimates of $708.9 million while same-store sales rose 2.4 percent, also topping the Street's estimates of 2.3 percent. Earnings per share rose 16 percent to $0.50, in-line with Street expectations.

On Friday, Robert Derrington of Wunderlich Securities reiterated a Buy rating on shares with a price target raised to $59 from a previous $55.

Derrington noted that Chili's continues to gain market share through new innovations including the "Fresh Mex Platform" in addition to Craft Burgers, Ziosk tablets and a refocused marketing campaign.

Derrington said that Chili's is well positioned to drive further growth despite near-term commodity inflation.

"Through we have cautiously trimmed our fiscal 2015 earnings per share to $3.08 from $3.10 to reflect [commodity inflation], we believe its considerable operating scale, predatory marketing muscle and efficient technology platform have the company longer-term positioned for sustained success," Derrington wrote.

Brinker International expects around 1 percent commodity inflation cost in fiscal 2015, which will be higher in the first of the year and more favorable in the bottom half of 2015.