Darden Restaurants stock gained 1.57 percent on October 2

Published on 10/04/2026 at 17:18 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Darden Restaurants stock stood at USD 200.50 on October 2 after fiscal Q1 sales rose 5.1 percent to USD 3.2 billion. Analysts set an average target of USD 232.38.

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Darden Restaurants stock (ISIN US2371941053) gained 1.57 percent to USD 200.50 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026. The move followed fiscal first-quarter results showing sales growth, a quarterly dividend and reaffirmed fiscal 2027 guidance. For investors, the key tension is clear: sales advanced while operating income declined year over year.

Sales rise in fiscal Q1

According to PR Newswire on September 24, 2026, Darden reported fiscal Q1 2027 sales of USD 3.2 billion for the period ended August 30, 2026, up 5.1 percent from USD 3.0447 billion a year earlier. Comparable-calendar same-restaurant sales increased 3.2 percent, giving the revenue result a direct operating driver.

The company also reported adjusted diluted EPS of USD 2.05, compared with USD 1.97 in the prior-year quarter. The release said LongHorn Steakhouse delivered 6.2 percent comparable-calendar sales growth, while Olive Garden posted 1.1 percent, making brand-level execution an important differentiator inside the portfolio.

Guidance holds at USD 11.10-11.35

PR Newswire reported that Darden reaffirmed fiscal 2027 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of USD 11.10-11.35. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of USD 1.62 per share, payable on November 2, 2026, to shareholders of record on October 9, 2026.

The earnings mix adds caution to the sales increase. Fiscal Q1 operating income was USD 319.3 million, down from USD 339.2 million in the prior-year quarter, while operating cash flow from continuing operations was USD 279.0 million versus USD 342.5 million. Cost control and traffic conversion therefore remain central to the guidance range.

Analysts see further upside

According to MarketBeat, 27 analysts carried a Moderate Buy consensus, with 18 Buy ratings and 9 Hold ratings. The average twelve-month price target was USD 232.38, with a high of USD 276.00 and a low of USD 200.00.

The average target lies 15.90 percent above the USD 200.50 October 2 close. MarketBeat also listed Citigroup's September 25 target change from USD 248.00 to USD 247.00 with a Buy rating, illustrating that the broader consensus remains positive even as individual estimates move in different directions.

Stock closes at USD 200.50

Darden Restaurants stock closed at USD 200.50 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, with a daily gain of 1.57 percent. Its market capitalization was USD 22.9 billion as of October 2, 2026, and the 52-week range was USD 169.00 to USD 229.76.