For most investors, how much a stock's price changes over time is important. This factor can impact your investment portfolio as well as help you compare investment results across sectors and industries.

Brinker reported second-quarter results on Jan. 29, and it was a blowout performance. Earnings more than doubled year over year, landing at $2.80 per share. Revenues rose 27% to $1.36 billion. Your average analyst firm would have settled for earnings of roughly $1.