One of these could lead you to big gains

Article Excerpt

BLOOMIN’ BRANDS INC., $18, is worth holding given the possibility of a lucrative takeover bid. The company (Nasdaq symbol BLMN; Consumer Sector; Shares outstanding: 91.3 million; Market cap: $1.6 billion; Dividend yield 2.2%; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.bloominbrands.com) owns and franchises more than 1,450 restaurants in 48 states and 19 countries. Its restaurant brands include Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill. The company owns about 80% of those restaurants. Bloomin’ Brands is a popular target for activist investors. In February 2018, Barington Capital Group pushed the company to spin off all of its smaller restaurants—Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s and Fleming’s. That would have left Outback as a separate company to operate on its own. Activist investor Jana Partners, which owns 9% of the company, feels Bloomin’ Brands is undervalued. Like Barington, it wants management to sell the entire business or at least parts of its operations. The company said it will consider Jana’s opinions. Excluding one-time items, Bloomin’ Brands made $32.3 million in the latest…