We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Darden (DRI) Hits 52-Week High: What's Driving the Stock?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Shares of the world’s largest casual dining restaurant chain, Darden’s Restaurants, Inc. (DRI - Free Report) hit a 52-week high of $74.47 on Nov 22. However, the company closed the day’s trading a trifle lower at $74.00. Notably, year to date, the stock has returned over 16%.
Last month, Darden reported mixed fiscal first-quarter 2017 results. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6%, while the top line marginally lagged the same.
The reported quarter marked the company’s eighth consecutive earnings beat, with an average positive surprise of 9.32% in the trailing four quarters. The company achieved positive comps growth and witnessed increase in sales in all of its four reporting segments, thereby upping its earnings guidance for the full-year fiscal 2017.
Meanwhile, the stock’s prospects are further exemplified by the ongoing upward estimate revisions. Current quarter estimates and current fiscal year estimates have moved north by 1.6% and 1.3% respectively, over the past 60 days.
Darden’s Brand Renaissance Plan, launched to boost the performance of its Olive Garden brand, has been reaping significant returns. The company has implemented a set of initiatives including simplifying kitchen systems, improving sales planning and scheduling, bettering guest experience, developing new core menu items, allowing customization and making smarter promotional investments. All of these, coupled with technology-driven moves, are likely to foster the company’s growth further.
However, rising labor costs and a non-franchised business model might dampen the company’s profits, while a soft consumer spending environment could keep comps under pressure. Moreover, losing out in terms of international presence like other restaurateurs such as Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM - Free Report) , McDonalds Corporation (MCD - Free Report) and Papa John’s International, Inc. (PZZA - Free Report) could also dent revenue growth.
How would you like to see our best recommendations to help you find today’s most promising long-term stocks? Starting now, you can look inside our portfolios featuring stocks under $10, income stocks, value investments and more. These picks, which have double and triple-digit profit potential, are rarely available to the public. But you can see them now. Click here >>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Darden (DRI) Hits 52-Week High: What's Driving the Stock?
Shares of the world’s largest casual dining restaurant chain, Darden’s Restaurants, Inc. (DRI - Free Report) hit a 52-week high of $74.47 on Nov 22. However, the company closed the day’s trading a trifle lower at $74.00. Notably, year to date, the stock has returned over 16%.
Last month, Darden reported mixed fiscal first-quarter 2017 results. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6%, while the top line marginally lagged the same.
The reported quarter marked the company’s eighth consecutive earnings beat, with an average positive surprise of 9.32% in the trailing four quarters. The company achieved positive comps growth and witnessed increase in sales in all of its four reporting segments, thereby upping its earnings guidance for the full-year fiscal 2017.
Meanwhile, the stock’s prospects are further exemplified by the ongoing upward estimate revisions. Current quarter estimates and current fiscal year estimates have moved north by 1.6% and 1.3% respectively, over the past 60 days.
DARDEN RESTRNT Price and Consensus
DARDEN RESTRNT Price and Consensus | DARDEN RESTRNT Quote
Darden’s Brand Renaissance Plan, launched to boost the performance of its Olive Garden brand, has been reaping significant returns. The company has implemented a set of initiatives including simplifying kitchen systems, improving sales planning and scheduling, bettering guest experience, developing new core menu items, allowing customization and making smarter promotional investments. All of these, coupled with technology-driven moves, are likely to foster the company’s growth further.
However, rising labor costs and a non-franchised business model might dampen the company’s profits, while a soft consumer spending environment could keep comps under pressure. Moreover, losing out in terms of international presence like other restaurateurs such as Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM - Free Report) , McDonalds Corporation (MCD - Free Report) and Papa John’s International, Inc. (PZZA - Free Report) could also dent revenue growth.
For all these reasons and more, Darden was recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks' Top Investment Ideas for Long-Term Profit
How would you like to see our best recommendations to help you find today’s most promising long-term stocks? Starting now, you can look inside our portfolios featuring stocks under $10, income stocks, value investments and more. These picks, which have double and triple-digit profit potential, are rarely available to the public. But you can see them now. Click here >>