Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, March 31st: M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI) : This company that manufactures frequency and spectrum control products carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 13.8% over the last 60 days. M-tron has a PEG ratio of 0.57 compared with 1.18 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B. Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) : Thi ...

Company Performance - Brinker International's stock closed at $154.39, reflecting a +0.17% change from the previous trading day, outperforming the S&P 500, which lost 0.33% [1] - Over the last month, Brinker International's shares decreased by 3.72%, which is better than the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 6.29% and the S&P 500's loss of 4.03% [2] Earnings Estimates - Analysts predict Brinker International will report an EPS of $2.43, indicating a 95.97% growth compared to the same quarter last year, with revenue expected to be $1.36 billion, showing a 21.65% increase [3] - Full-year estimates call for earnings of $8.30 per share and revenue of $5.24 billion, representing year-over-year changes of +102.44% and +18.65% respectively [4] Analyst Sentiment - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Brinker International reflect evolving short-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating analysts' confidence in the company's performance [5] - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates these estimate changes, currently ranks Brinker International as 1 (Strong Buy) [7] Valuation Metrics - Brinker International is trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 18.57, which is lower than the industry's average Forward P/E of 23.09 [8] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.49, significantly lower than the Retail - Restaurants industry's average PEG ratio of 2.2 [8] Industry Context - The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 165, placing it within the bottom 35% of over 250 industries [9]

Core Insights - Brinker International, Inc. is expanding its Chili's Grill & Bar brand with a new location in Scranton, set to open on April 7, featuring unique menu items and a culturally inspired dining experience [1] - The company is prioritizing both domestic and international expansion, focusing on high-growth markets to drive long-term growth [2][3] Expansion Strategy - Brinker is actively pursuing international expansion through development agreements with franchise partners and is supporting them with virtual brand offerings [3] - For fiscal 2024, Brinker opened nine Chili's restaurants, with plans for 9 to 11 domestic openings and 21 to 25 international openings in fiscal 2025 [3] Financial Performance - Brinker shares have increased by 15.5% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, which grew by 3.3% [5] - The company's growth is attributed to increased menu pricing, effective marketing strategies, and traffic-driving initiatives [5] Zacks Rank and Comparisons - Brinker holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong market performance [6] - Other top-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector include BJ's Restaurants, On Holding, and Sprouts Farmers Market, with varying performance metrics and growth estimates [6][7][8]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors to consider on March 27th [1][2][3] Group 1: M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI) - M-tron Industries manufactures frequency and spectrum control products and has a Zacks Rank of 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for M-tron's current year earnings has increased by 9.3% over the last 60 days [1] - M-tron has a PEG ratio of 0.59, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.23, and possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Brinker International is a franchisor of casual dining restaurants and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brinker's current year earnings has increased by 36.8% over the last 60 days [2] - Brinker has a PEG ratio of 0.50 compared to the industry average of 2.54, and it holds a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Pitney Bowes Inc. (PBI) - Pitney Bowes provides SaaS shipping solutions, mailing innovation, and financial services, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pitney Bowes' current year earnings has increased by 8% over the last 60 days [3] - Pitney Bowes has a PEG ratio of 0.52, lower than the industry average of 2.23, and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights Brinker International (EAT) as a strong growth stock, emphasizing its impressive earnings growth, asset utilization efficiency, and positive earnings estimate revisions, making it a solid choice for growth investors [2][10]. Earnings Growth - Brinker International has a historical EPS growth rate of 25.6%, but the projected EPS growth for this year is significantly higher at 103.3%, far exceeding the industry average of 7% [5]. Asset Utilization Ratio - The company has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) of 1.9, indicating it generates $1.9 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.97, showcasing superior efficiency [7]. Sales Growth - Brinker International's sales are expected to grow by 17.2% this year, which is substantially higher than the industry average growth of 3.9%, indicating strong sales performance [7]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Brinker International, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 0.4% over the past month, suggesting favorable market sentiment [8]. Overall Assessment - With a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of A, Brinker International is positioned as a potential outperformer in the growth investment space, making it an attractive option for investors seeking growth opportunities [10].

Core Insights - Chili's is launching a new restaurant, the Scranton Branch, which aims to connect with fans through nostalgic elements and a unique menu item, the Awesome Blossom [1][3] - The restaurant features a distinct decor that includes a chalk art mural and vintage artwork, creating a time capsule experience for visitors [1][2] - The grand opening will include promotional activities, such as the introduction of the Scranton Marg, a special margarita priced at $5, available nationwide for one day [4][5] Group 1: Restaurant Launch - The Scranton Branch is designed to feel like a familiar home for fans, featuring nostalgic decor and a throwback menu item [1] - The restaurant's opening is supported by a marketing campaign featuring local celebrities to enhance community engagement [2] Group 2: Menu Highlights - The Awesome Blossom, a deep-fried onion appetizer, is making a comeback exclusively at the Scranton Branch after being removed from menus in 2008 [3] - The Scranton Marg, a special margarita, will be available for $5 on the grand opening day, with plans for wider availability at other Chili's locations [4][5] Group 3: Community Engagement - The launch includes merchandise such as t-shirts to celebrate the opening, available through social media giveaways and online [5] - Chili's emphasizes its commitment to community involvement and charitable efforts, having raised over $110 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital [7]

Group 1: M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI) - M-tron Industries manufactures frequency and spectrum control products and has a Zacks Rank of 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for M-tron's current year earnings has increased by 9.3% over the last 60 days [1] - M-tron has a PEG ratio of 0.49, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.21, and possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Brinker International is a franchisor of casual dining restaurants and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brinker's current year earnings has risen by 39.3% over the last 60 days [2] - Brinker has a PEG ratio of 0.46 compared to the industry average of 2.52, and it also has a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Pitney Bowes Inc. (PBI) - Pitney Bowes provides SaaS shipping solutions, mailing innovation, and financial services, and carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pitney Bowes' current year earnings has increased by 12% over the last 60 days [3] - Pitney Bowes has a PEG ratio of 0.52, lower than the industry average of 2.24, and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Core Insights - Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) has experienced a significant stock increase of 90.4% over the past six months, outperforming the retail restaurant industry's slight decline of 0.1% and the S&P 500's 0.7% drop [1] - The company is leveraging increased menu pricing, effective marketing strategies, and traffic-driving initiatives to enhance growth [1] - EAT aims to balance value offerings with margin expansion and adaptability to changing consumer preferences [1] Stock Performance - Despite the recent rally, EAT's stock closed at $144.81, which is 33% below its 52-week high of $192.22 but significantly above its 52-week low of $43.37 [2] - EAT has outperformed competitors such as Wingstop Inc. (WING), Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK), and CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) [2] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on driving traffic and revenue growth through menu innovation, value-driven offerings, enhanced food presentation, targeted advertising, kitchen system upgrades, and improved service platforms [5] - Successful marketing campaigns, including the "Better Than Fast-Food" TV campaign and the "Triple Dipper" social media campaign, have led to a 31.4% increase in sales and a 19.9% rise in traffic year over year at Chili's [6] Growth and Expansion - Brinker is actively expanding its Chili's international footprint through new and existing franchise partnerships, with plans to open 9-11 domestic locations and 21-25 international outlets in fiscal 2025 [9] - The company is investing in a brand-wide reimaging program to enhance guest experience and drive traffic over the next three years [10] Earnings Projections - EAT's earnings are projected to reach $8.30 per share in fiscal 2025, representing a remarkable year-over-year increase of 102.4% [12] - Earnings are expected to continue growing, with a forecast of $9.35 per share in fiscal 2026, indicating a 12.6% increase [12] Valuation - EAT is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.98X, which is lower than the industry average, suggesting a discount [15] - This valuation presents an attractive entry point for investors, given the company's strong stock performance and growth potential [19] Investment Strategy - EAT's strategic initiatives, solid fundamentals, and focus on enhancing the guest experience position it as a compelling investment opportunity [17] - The company's commitment to balancing value with profitability ensures adaptability to shifting consumer preferences, while its improving earnings trajectory signals strong growth potential [18]

Company Overview - Brinker International (EAT) operates restaurant chains including Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy [2] - The company's stock closed at $144.81, reflecting a decrease of 0.42% from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.08% [1] Recent Performance - Over the last month, Brinker International's shares have decreased by 5.28%, which is better than the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 9.1% and the S&P 500's loss of 7.33% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $2.37 per share for the upcoming financial results, indicating a year-over-year growth of 91.13% [3] - Expected net sales for the same period are $1.36 billion, representing a 21.65% increase from the previous year [3] Full-Year Projections - For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $8.15 per share and revenue of $5.24 billion, reflecting year-over-year changes of +98.78% and +18.65%, respectively [4] Analyst Sentiment - Recent changes in analyst estimates indicate a favorable outlook on Brinker International's business health and profitability [5] - The Zacks Rank system currently rates Brinker International as 1 (Strong Buy), which has historically outperformed with an average annual gain of +25% for 1 stocks since 1988 [7] Valuation Metrics - Brinker International has a Forward P/E ratio of 17.84, which is lower than the industry's average Forward P/E of 23.19 [8] - The company also has a PEG ratio of 0.47, significantly below the Retail-Restaurants industry's average PEG ratio of 2.12 [8] Industry Context - The Retail-Restaurants industry is part of the broader Retail-Wholesale sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 140, placing it within the bottom 45% of over 250 industries [9]

Group 1 - Brinker International, based in Dallas, operates the casual dining restaurant brands Chili's and Maggiano's [1] - The company's stock has recently attracted attention from momentum investors, indicating potential interest in its market performance [1] Group 2 - The investment focus is on value-oriented opportunities, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, homebuilders, building materials, industrials, and metals & mining [1] - The investment strategy emphasizes acquiring stocks that are undervalued and have upcoming catalysts, with a typical investment horizon ranging from one quarter to two years [1]