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's (DRI) Q4 Earnings to Ride on Sales-Building Efforts
Read MoreHide Full Article
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI - Free Report) is set to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results on Jun 21, before the opening bell.
In the last reported quarter, Darden posted impressive earnings and revenues resulting from the company’s relentless efforts in improving the basic operating factors of business — food, service and atmosphere. Also, addition of 154 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and 34 other new restaurants significantly boosted the top line.
We believe that synergies from Cheddar’s acquisition and various sales-boosting initiatives across brands are expected to benefit Darden’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 revenues. Also, efficient cost-containment efforts are likely to improve margins and the company’s bottom line.
Notably, Darden’s shares have gained 3.9% in the past year, in line with the industry’s growth. Let’s find out how the company’s to-be-reported quarter results will turn out.
Top Line to Gain from Acquisition & Sales-Building Efforts
Darden’s revenues are expected to increase year over year in the to-be-reported quarter, driven by various initiatives that include simplifying kitchen systems, operational excellence to enhance guest experience, menu innovation and other technology-driven moves. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter’s net sales is pegged at $2.12 billion, reflecting 9.8% year-over-year growth. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, Darden witnessed year-over-year sales growth of 13.6%.
Olive Garden is likely to grow from the prior-year quarter on Brand Renaissance Plan and the To Go business that offer online ordering at selected locations. The brand is particularly focusing on remodeling and bar refreshes.
The revamped restaurants are already generating high same-restaurant sales and returns. In fact, supported by these initiatives, Olive Garden posted the 14th consecutive quarter of positive comps in third-quarter fiscal 2018. Expecting this forward trend to continue, the consensus estimate for comps growth is pegged at 0.01% in the to-be-reported quarter.
Comps at LongHorn are expected to grow year over year, owing to culinary innovation in the segment. Darden is also working on a marketing strategy to improve execution, customer-relationship management and digital advertising. Further, the company continues to focus on strengthening its in-restaurant execution through strategic investments in quality.
Owing to these efforts, segment comps have been growing since the past 20 consecutive quarters and the trend is likely to continue in the to-be-reported quarter as well. The consensus estimate for the segment’s fourth-quarter comps is projected to grow 0.01%.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Cheddar’s seems to be a great fit in the company’s portfolio, as it not only complements its existing brands but is also expected to aid in attracting more customers, given its extensive appeal. Synergies from the buyout of Cheddar’s are expected to continue favoring the segment’s revenues in the to-be-reported quarter as well.
Cost-Saving Efforts to Favor Bottom Line
Darden has an aggressive cost-management plan, under which it has significantly cut operating costs. In fact, for fiscal 2018, the company expects 10-40 basis points year-over-year margin expansion as a result of cost savings.
The company’s cost cutting is likely to favor earnings growth in the to-be-reported quarter. The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.35, mirroring 14.4% year-over-year growth.
Our Quantitative Model Suggests a Beat
According to our quantitative model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) along with a positive Earnings ESP has a fair chance of beating estimates. Meanwhile, stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) are best avoided.
Darden has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.09%, a combination that increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Here are some other restaurant companies that according to our model possess the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter:
Domino’s (DPZ - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.22% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is expected to report quarterly numbers on Jul 24, 2018.
Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.41% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to report quarterly results on Jul 26, 2018.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
Darden's (DRI) Q4 Earnings to Ride on Sales-Building Efforts
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI - Free Report) is set to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results on Jun 21, before the opening bell.
In the last reported quarter, Darden posted impressive earnings and revenues resulting from the company’s relentless efforts in improving the basic operating factors of business — food, service and atmosphere. Also, addition of 154 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and 34 other new restaurants significantly boosted the top line.
We believe that synergies from Cheddar’s acquisition and various sales-boosting initiatives across brands are expected to benefit Darden’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 revenues. Also, efficient cost-containment efforts are likely to improve margins and the company’s bottom line.
Notably, Darden’s shares have gained 3.9% in the past year, in line with the industry’s growth. Let’s find out how the company’s to-be-reported quarter results will turn out.
Top Line to Gain from Acquisition & Sales-Building Efforts
Darden’s revenues are expected to increase year over year in the to-be-reported quarter, driven by various initiatives that include simplifying kitchen systems, operational excellence to enhance guest experience, menu innovation and other technology-driven moves. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter’s net sales is pegged at $2.12 billion, reflecting 9.8% year-over-year growth. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, Darden witnessed year-over-year sales growth of 13.6%.
Olive Garden is likely to grow from the prior-year quarter on Brand Renaissance Plan and the To Go business that offer online ordering at selected locations. The brand is particularly focusing on remodeling and bar refreshes.
The revamped restaurants are already generating high same-restaurant sales and returns. In fact, supported by these initiatives, Olive Garden posted the 14th consecutive quarter of positive comps in third-quarter fiscal 2018. Expecting this forward trend to continue, the consensus estimate for comps growth is pegged at 0.01% in the to-be-reported quarter.
Comps at LongHorn are expected to grow year over year, owing to culinary innovation in the segment. Darden is also working on a marketing strategy to improve execution, customer-relationship management and digital advertising. Further, the company continues to focus on strengthening its in-restaurant execution through strategic investments in quality.
Owing to these efforts, segment comps have been growing since the past 20 consecutive quarters and the trend is likely to continue in the to-be-reported quarter as well. The consensus estimate for the segment’s fourth-quarter comps is projected to grow 0.01%.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Cheddar’s seems to be a great fit in the company’s portfolio, as it not only complements its existing brands but is also expected to aid in attracting more customers, given its extensive appeal. Synergies from the buyout of Cheddar’s are expected to continue favoring the segment’s revenues in the to-be-reported quarter as well.
Cost-Saving Efforts to Favor Bottom Line
Darden has an aggressive cost-management plan, under which it has significantly cut operating costs. In fact, for fiscal 2018, the company expects 10-40 basis points year-over-year margin expansion as a result of cost savings.
The company’s cost cutting is likely to favor earnings growth in the to-be-reported quarter. The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.35, mirroring 14.4% year-over-year growth.
Our Quantitative Model Suggests a Beat
According to our quantitative model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) along with a positive Earnings ESP has a fair chance of beating estimates. Meanwhile, stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) are best avoided.
Darden has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.09%, a combination that increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Darden Restaurants, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Darden Restaurants, Inc. Quote
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are some other restaurant companies that according to our model possess the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter:
Sonic Corp. has an Earnings ESP of +0.71% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is scheduled to report quarterly results on Jun 26, 2018. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Domino’s (DPZ - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.22% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is expected to report quarterly numbers on Jul 24, 2018.
Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.41% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to report quarterly results on Jul 26, 2018.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>