Analyst Raises Brinker Int'l To 'Overweight'

NEW YORK (AP) — Cost control efforts and signs of growing stability in the casual dining sector led an analyst to boost Brinker International Inc.'s rating on Monday.

Shares of the restaurant operator, which runs Chili's Grill & Bar and other chains, climbed $1.45, or 9.4 percent, to $16.88 in afternoon trading. Over the past year, the stock has traded in a range of $3.88 to $23.87.

Jeffrey Bernstein of Barclays Capital lifted Barclays to "Overweight" from "Equal Weight," saying the Dallas-based company will see minimal impact from the swine flu outbreak and expanded margins over the next six to nine months.

Chili's new value meal options — "10 items for under $7" — have helped increase traffic while the chain deals with lower checks, he added.

Bernstein raised Brinker's price target to $19 from $18.