Analyst Expectations For Darden Restaurants's Future

In the last three months, 18 analysts have published ratings on Darden Restaurants DRI, offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.

In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.

The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $191.72, a high estimate of $220.00, and a low estimate of $164.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 4.43% increase from the previous average price target of $183.59.

Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study

A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Darden Restaurants is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.

Key Insights:

• Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Darden Restaurants. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
• Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Darden Restaurants compared to the broader market.
• Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Darden Restaurants's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.

To gain a panoramic view of Darden Restaurants's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.

Stay up to date on Darden Restaurants analyst ratings.

Unveiling the Story Behind Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants is the largest restaurant operator in the us full-service space, with consolidated revenue of $11.4 billion in fiscal 2024 resulting in 3%-4% full-service market share (per NRA data and our calculations). The company maintains a portfolio of 10 restaurant brands: Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Ruth's Chris, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V's, Bahama Breeze, and The Capital Burger. Darden generates revenue almost exclusively from company-owned restaurants, though a small network of franchised restaurants and consumer-packaged goods sales through the traditional grocery channel contribute modestly. As of the end of its fiscal 2024, the company operated 2,031 restaurants in the us.

Financial Milestones: Darden Restaurants's Journey

Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position.

Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Darden Restaurants's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 4.82% as of 30 November, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Consumer Discretionary sector.

Net Margin: Darden Restaurants's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 7.44%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.

Return on Equity (ROE): Darden Restaurants's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 10.21%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.

Return on Assets (ROA): Darden Restaurants's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.8%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.

Debt Management: Darden Restaurants's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 3.06, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.

What Are Analyst Ratings?

Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.

In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.

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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.