Why Shares of Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) Are Rising Today

Recent Developments

Bloomin’ Brands (NASDAQ:BLMN), a well-known restaurant operator, saw its stock climb by 3.6% during the afternoon trading session. This uptick followed a wave of optimism in the casual dining industry, spurred by a notable analyst upgrade for Brinker International (EAT), one of Bloomin’ Brands’ competitors.

The upbeat sentiment was triggered when UBS shifted its rating for Brinker International from "Neutral" to "Buy" and increased its price target, signaling renewed faith in the sit-down restaurant sector. Industry-wide confidence was further reflected in a recent survey, where 82% of restaurant executives anticipated that growth would either improve or hold steady in 2026, despite ongoing challenges related to labor and the economy.

After the initial surge, Bloomin’ Brands’ shares settled at $6.70, representing a 3.3% gain compared to the previous closing price.

Market Insights

Bloomin’ Brands’ stock is known for its high volatility, having experienced 47 separate swings of more than 5% in the past year. Today’s price movement suggests that investors view the latest news as important, though not transformative for the company’s overall outlook.

The last significant price jump occurred 20 days ago, when the stock rose 3.7% after Freedom Capital Markets began coverage with a "Buy" rating and set a $10.00 price target. This target implied a possible 43% increase from the stock’s value at that time. The research firm pointed to early signs of a turnaround, led by the Outback Steakhouse brand, under new management and a series of sales initiatives. These included upgrades to steak quality, a revamped service approach, and restaurant renovations, all designed to fuel future growth.

Since the start of the year, Bloomin’ Brands’ shares have gained 4.9%. However, with the current price at $6.70, the stock remains 48.1% below its 52-week peak of $12.89, reached in January 2025. For perspective, a $1,000 investment in Bloomin’ Brands five years ago would now be valued at just $330.13.

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