Has Brinker International (EAT) Surpassed Other Retail-Wholesale Stocks in Performance This Year?

Top Retail-Wholesale Stocks to Watch

If you're considering investments in the Retail-Wholesale sector, it's important to identify companies that are leading the pack. One such contender is Brinker International (EAT), which has shown notable performance this year. Comparing its progress to other businesses in the sector can provide valuable insight.

Brinker International is part of the Retail-Wholesale category, which comprises 195 companies and currently ranks 11th in the Zacks Sector Rank. This ranking evaluates 16 sectors by averaging the Zacks Rank of their constituent stocks to determine overall group strength.

The Zacks Rank system is a proven method for selecting stocks, focusing on earnings forecasts and changes in those estimates. It highlights stocks that may outperform the broader market in the coming months. At present, Brinker International holds a Zacks Rank of #1, indicating a strong buy recommendation.

In the last three months, analysts have raised their consensus earnings estimate for EAT by 4.3%, reflecting growing optimism and a positive outlook for the company's profits.

So far this year, EAT has increased by approximately 0.6%. In contrast, the Retail-Wholesale sector as a whole has seen an average decline of 1.4%. This suggests that Brinker International is ahead of its sector peers in terms of performance.

Another standout in the Retail-Wholesale space is Five Below (FIVE), which has delivered a 16% gain year-to-date.

For Five Below, the consensus earnings per share estimate has risen 14.6% over the past quarter, and it also holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Industry Breakdown

Brinker International is part of the Retail - Restaurants industry, which includes 39 stocks and is currently ranked #170 by Zacks. On average, companies in this group have advanced 6.7% this year, meaning EAT is trailing its industry in terms of year-to-date growth.

Meanwhile, Five Below operates within the Retail - Miscellaneous industry, which consists of 14 stocks and currently holds the #67 spot. This industry has posted a 2.9% gain so far in 2024.

Investors interested in Retail-Wholesale stocks should keep an eye on both Brinker International and Five Below, as their strong performance may continue.

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Original article published by Zacks Investment Research.

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