Darden Restaurants (DRI) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.08 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.09 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.03 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -0.48%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this owner of Olive Garden and other chain restaurants would post earnings of $2 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.97, delivering a surprise of -1.5%.O ...

Financial Performance - Total sales reached $3.1 billion, reflecting a 7.3% increase[10] - Same-restaurant sales grew by 4.3%[10] - Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $466 million[10] - Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.08[10] Margin Analysis - Food and beverage expenses accounted for 31.1% of sales, a decrease of 90 basis points compared to the prior year[13] - Restaurant labor expenses represented 32.2% of sales, a decrease of 10 basis points compared to the prior year[13] - Restaurant expenses accounted for 16.4% of sales, a decrease of 10 basis points compared to the prior year[13] - Marketing expenses accounted for 1.6% of sales, an increase of 10 basis points compared to the prior year[13] Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook - The company projects total sales growth of 8.5% to 9.3%, which includes approximately 2% total sales growth for the extra week[19, 20] - Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be between 3.5% and 4.3%[19] - Adjusted diluted net earnings per share are projected to be $10.50 to $10.70[19]

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants reported an increase in fiscal second-quarter sales and profit, indicating strong performance despite external pressures [1] - The company raised its full-year sales-growth guidance, reflecting confidence in its business outlook [1] - Darden successfully managed to mitigate the impact of rising beef prices on its operations [1] Financial Performance - The fiscal second-quarter sales and profit figures were higher compared to previous periods, showcasing robust financial health [1] - The specific numerical data regarding sales and profit growth was not detailed in the provided content [1] Future Outlook - Darden's decision to raise its full-year sales-growth guidance suggests an optimistic view of market conditions and consumer demand [1] - The company appears well-positioned to navigate challenges in the industry, particularly those related to commodity price fluctuations [1]

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) updated its fiscal 2026 financial outlook, which includes a 53rd week. The updated outlook includes the impact of the additional week. Total sales growth is projected in a range of 8.5% to 9.3%, including approximately 2% growth related to the 53rd week. Same-restaurant sales growth is expected in a range of 3.5% to 4.3%. The company expects adjusted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $10.50 to $10.70, including: approximately $0.20 related to the addition o ...

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants reported strong sales growth driven by demand at Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse [1][2] - The company raised its full-year revenue growth outlook for fiscal 2026 to 8.5% to 9.3% while maintaining its earnings projections [1] - Fiscal second-quarter net income increased to $237.2 million, or $2.03 per share, compared to $215.1 million, or $1.82 per share, a year earlier [2] Financial Performance - Excluding restaurant closure costs and acquisition-related expenses, the adjusted earnings per share were $2.08 [2] - Net sales rose by 7.3% to reach $3.1 billion [2] - The company's shares rose more than 4% in premarket trading following the earnings report [2]

Financial Performance - Total sales increased by 7.3% to $3.1 billion, driven by a blended same-restaurant sales increase of 4.3% and sales from 30 net new restaurants[5] - Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.03, while adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased by 2.5% to $2.08[5][16] - Year-to-date consolidated sales for fiscal 2026 reached $6.1 billion, up from $5.6 billion in fiscal 2025[6] - Olive Garden's sales increased to $1.36 billion in Q2 2026, up from $1.29 billion in Q2 2025[4] - LongHorn Steakhouse reported Q2 2026 sales of $775.9 million, an increase from $710.1 million in Q2 2025[4] - Operating income for the six months ended November 23, 2025, was $659.6 million, up 17.5% from $561.3 million in the prior year[19] - Net earnings for the six months ended November 23, 2025, reached $495.0 million, representing a 17.2% increase compared to $422.3 million for the same period last year[24] - Basic net earnings per share for the three months ended November 23, 2025, were $2.05, an increase of 11.4% from $1.84 in the same quarter last year[19] Shareholder Returns - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.50 per share, payable on February 2, 2026[7] - The company repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of its common stock for a total of $222 million, with $643 million remaining under the current $1 billion repurchase authorization[8] - The company repurchased common stock totaling $407.1 million during the six months ended November 23, 2025[24] Future Outlook - Fiscal 2026 financial outlook includes total sales growth of 8.5% to 9.3%, with same-restaurant sales growth of 3.5% to 4.3%[11] - New restaurant openings are projected to be between 65 to 70, with total capital spending estimated at $750 to $775 million[11] Assets and Liabilities - Total current assets increased to $1,043.4 million as of November 23, 2025, compared to $937.7 million on May 25, 2025[21] - Total liabilities rose to $10,859.8 million as of November 23, 2025, up from $10,275.7 million on May 25, 2025[21] - The company reported a decrease in cash and cash equivalents to $224.1 million as of November 23, 2025, from $240.0 million on May 25, 2025[21] Share Statistics - The average number of diluted shares outstanding was 116.7 million for the three months ended November 23, 2025, compared to 118.3 million in the same period last year[19] - Cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended November 23, 2025, were $663.2 million, slightly up from $661.8 million in the prior year[24]

The consensus price target for Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) has decreased from $218.76 to $213.5 over the past year, indicating a cautious outlook from analysts.Credit Suisse analyst Lauren Siberman sets a conservative price target of $152, aligning with the average 1-year target price reported by MarketBeat.Despite the downward trend in price targets, Darden receives an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from analysts.Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) is a major player in the full-service ...

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) will release earnings results for its second quarter before the opening bell on Thursday, Dec. 18.Analysts expect the Orlando, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.1 per share, up from $2.03 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Darden's quarterly revenue is $3.07 billion, compared to $2.89 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On Sept. 18, Darden Restaurants reported worse-than-expected first-quarter financ ...

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) will release earnings results for its second quarter before the opening bell on Thursday, Dec. 18.Analysts expect the Orlando, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.1 per share, up from $2.03 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Darden's quarterly revenue is $3.07 billion, compared to $2.89 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On Sept. 18, Darden Restaurants reported worse-than-expected first-quarter financ ...

With a market cap of $21.6 billion, Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) is a leading full-service restaurant company that owns and operates a diverse portfolio of well-known dining brands across the United States and Canada. The company includes popular concepts such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The Orlando, Florida-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q2 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, Dec. 18. Ahead of this event, analysts predict Darden R ...