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Darden Restaurants (DRI) Up 4.8% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Darden Restaurants (DRI - Free Report) . Shares have added about 4.8% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Darden Restaurants due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Darden Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag
Darden reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, whereas revenues lagged the same.
Adjusted earnings of $1.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.73. Moreover, the bottom line increased 26.6% year over year on higher revenues. Results were aided by the company’s relentless efforts to improve the basic operating factors of the business — food, service and ambiance.
Total revenues of $2,229.1 million lagged the consensus mark of $2,240 million. However, revenues increased 4.5% from the prior-year quarter. The upside was driven by the addition of 39 net restaurants and a 1.6% increase in blended comps.
Revenues by Segments
Darden reports business under four segments — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Fine Dining that includes The Capital Grille and Eddie V's, and Other Business.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company’s legacy brands posted blended comps growth of 1.6%. In the fiscal third quarter, comps increased 2.8%.
Sales at Olive Garden were up 3.7% year over year to $1,107 million. Comps grew 2.4% at the segment, lower than the prior quarter’s comp growth of 4.3%. Traffic declined 0.4%. Pricing improved 1.6% and menu-mix increased 1.2%.
Sales at Fine Dining increased 5% to $154.6 million. Comps at The Capital Grille rose 2.9% compared with growth of 4.3% in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Further, Eddie V's posted comps growth of 2%, lower than 3.7% improvement recorded in the prior quarter.
Revenues from Other Business grew 4.9% year over year to $483.1 million. However, comps at Seasons 52 fell 1.5% in the reported quarter compared with comps decline of 1.3% in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Comps at Yard House edged down 1.4% compared with 2.1% decrease in the prior quarter. Meanwhile, comps slipped 1.9% at Bahama Breeze compared with a decline of 3.7% in the preceding quarter.
At LongHorn Steakhouse, sales rose 5.7% to $484.4 million. Comps at LongHorn Steakhouse increased 3.3%, down from comps growth of 3.8% in the fiscal third quarter. Traffic increased 0.3%. Also, pricing and menu mix grew 1.8% and 1.2%, respectively.
In the reported quarter, comps at Cheddar's decreased 3.4% compared with 2.7% decline in third-quarter fiscal 2019.
Operating Highlights & Net Income
In the fiscal fourth quarter, total operating costs and expenses increased 5% year over year to $1,999.3 million. The rise was due to an overall increase in food and beverage costs, restaurant expenses, and labor costs. Net earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter were $208 million, up 19.2% from the year-ago level.
Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as of May 26, 2019, totaled $457.3 million, up from $146.9 million as of May 27, 2018. Inventories totaled $207.3 million at the end of the reported quarter. Goodwill, as a percentage of total assets, was 20.1% in the quarter.
Long-term debt as of May 26, 2019, was $927.7 million, up from $926.5 million as of May 27, 2018.
During the fiscal fourth quarter, the company repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of its common stock for roughly $42 million. It still has $304 million remaining under the current $500-million repurchase authorization.
Highlights of Fiscal 2019 Results
Adjusted earnings in fiscal 2019 were $5.82, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.78. Earnings also increased 19.6% year over year. Total sales grew 5.3% to $8.51 billion, driven by the addition of 39 net new restaurants and a blended same-restaurant sales increase of 2.5%.
Fiscal 2020 Outlook
For fiscal 2020, the company expects total revenues to increase 5.3-6.3%. This will include the 2% positive synergy from the 53rd week. Comps are projected to increase 1-2%. Darden’s earnings per share are anticipated to be $6.30-$6.45.
Meanwhile, the company expects inflation to be up 2.5% in 2020. With an effective tax rate of 10-11%, total capital spending is expected to be $450-$500 million. Darden plans to open 50 gross and 44 net new restaurants in 2020.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months.
VGM Scores
At this time, Darden Restaurants has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Darden Restaurants has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Darden Restaurants (DRI) Up 4.8% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Darden Restaurants (DRI - Free Report) . Shares have added about 4.8% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Darden Restaurants due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Darden Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag
Darden reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, whereas revenues lagged the same.
Adjusted earnings of $1.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.73. Moreover, the bottom line increased 26.6% year over year on higher revenues. Results were aided by the company’s relentless efforts to improve the basic operating factors of the business — food, service and ambiance.
Total revenues of $2,229.1 million lagged the consensus mark of $2,240 million. However, revenues increased 4.5% from the prior-year quarter. The upside was driven by the addition of 39 net restaurants and a 1.6% increase in blended comps.
Revenues by Segments
Darden reports business under four segments — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Fine Dining that includes The Capital Grille and Eddie V's, and Other Business.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company’s legacy brands posted blended comps growth of 1.6%. In the fiscal third quarter, comps increased 2.8%.
Sales at Olive Garden were up 3.7% year over year to $1,107 million. Comps grew 2.4% at the segment, lower than the prior quarter’s comp growth of 4.3%. Traffic declined 0.4%. Pricing improved 1.6% and menu-mix increased 1.2%.
Sales at Fine Dining increased 5% to $154.6 million. Comps at The Capital Grille rose 2.9% compared with growth of 4.3% in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Further, Eddie V's posted comps growth of 2%, lower than 3.7% improvement recorded in the prior quarter.
Revenues from Other Business grew 4.9% year over year to $483.1 million. However, comps at Seasons 52 fell 1.5% in the reported quarter compared with comps decline of 1.3% in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Comps at Yard House edged down 1.4% compared with 2.1% decrease in the prior quarter. Meanwhile, comps slipped 1.9% at Bahama Breeze compared with a decline of 3.7% in the preceding quarter.
At LongHorn Steakhouse, sales rose 5.7% to $484.4 million. Comps at LongHorn Steakhouse increased 3.3%, down from comps growth of 3.8% in the fiscal third quarter. Traffic increased 0.3%. Also, pricing and menu mix grew 1.8% and 1.2%, respectively.
In the reported quarter, comps at Cheddar's decreased 3.4% compared with 2.7% decline in third-quarter fiscal 2019.
Operating Highlights & Net Income
In the fiscal fourth quarter, total operating costs and expenses increased 5% year over year to $1,999.3 million. The rise was due to an overall increase in food and beverage costs, restaurant expenses, and labor costs. Net earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter were $208 million, up 19.2% from the year-ago level.
Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as of May 26, 2019, totaled $457.3 million, up from $146.9 million as of May 27, 2018. Inventories totaled $207.3 million at the end of the reported quarter. Goodwill, as a percentage of total assets, was 20.1% in the quarter.
Long-term debt as of May 26, 2019, was $927.7 million, up from $926.5 million as of May 27, 2018.
During the fiscal fourth quarter, the company repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of its common stock for roughly $42 million. It still has $304 million remaining under the current $500-million repurchase authorization.
Highlights of Fiscal 2019 Results
Adjusted earnings in fiscal 2019 were $5.82, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.78. Earnings also increased 19.6% year over year. Total sales grew 5.3% to $8.51 billion, driven by the addition of 39 net new restaurants and a blended same-restaurant sales increase of 2.5%.
Fiscal 2020 Outlook
For fiscal 2020, the company expects total revenues to increase 5.3-6.3%. This will include the 2% positive synergy from the 53rd week. Comps are projected to increase 1-2%. Darden’s earnings per share are anticipated to be $6.30-$6.45.
Meanwhile, the company expects inflation to be up 2.5% in 2020. With an effective tax rate of 10-11%, total capital spending is expected to be $450-$500 million. Darden plans to open 50 gross and 44 net new restaurants in 2020.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months.
VGM Scores
At this time, Darden Restaurants has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Darden Restaurants has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.