Darden Restaurants stock gets a Moderate Buy consensus

Published on 10/05/2026 at 23:11 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Darden Restaurants stock was at USD 198.69 on October 5, 2026, while analysts set an average target of USD 232.38. Fiscal Q1 sales rose 5.1 percent.

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Darden Restaurants stock (ISIN US2371941053) was trading at USD 198.69 on the NYSE on October 5, 2026 at 10:52 a.m. EDT, down 0.82 percent from the previous close. The latest company update kept fiscal 2027 adjusted diluted EPS guidance at USD 11.10-11.35, giving the shares a fundamental anchor as the market weighs slower profit conversion against steady sales growth.

Fiscal sales rise 5.1 percent

On September 24, 2026, Darden Restaurants reported fiscal Q1 2027 sales of USD 3,200.3 million, up 5.1 percent from USD 3,044.7 million in the comparable prior-year period. Comparable-calendar same-restaurant sales increased 3.2 percent, while reported diluted EPS from continuing operations rose 4.1 percent to USD 2.05.

The comparison is mixed beneath the headline growth. Continuing-operations net earnings fell to USD 234.3 million from USD 257.9 million, while operating income declined to USD 319.3 million from USD 339.2 million for the quarter ended August 30, 2026.

Analysts keep upside in view

MarketBeat lists a Moderate Buy consensus from 27 analysts, with 18 Buy ratings and 9 Hold ratings. The average twelve-month target is USD 232.38, with a high of USD 276.00 and a low of USD 200.00.

Against the USD 198.69 NYSE price on October 5, 2026, the average target stands 16.95 percent above the stock. That spread is a market expectation, not a company forecast, and the unchanged fiscal outlook leaves execution at the center of the debate.

Dividend date adds a checkpoint

Darden also declared a quarterly dividend of USD 1.62 per share on September 24, 2026. The dividend is payable on November 2, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2026, according to Darden Restaurants.

Stock sits below yearly high

Darden Restaurants stock was trading at USD 198.69 on the NYSE on October 5, 2026, placing it 13.52 percent below its 52-week high of USD 229.76 and above its 52-week low of USD 169.00. Market capitalization stood at USD 22.9 billion on October 5, 2026.