Darden Restaurants earns USD 233.40 million: Darden Restaurants stock yields 3.00 percent

Darden Restaurants reported USD 233.40 million in net earnings for fiscal first-quarter 2027 on September 24, 2026, compared with USD 257.80 million a year earlier. The company also posted adjusted earnings per share of USD 2.05, up 4.10 percent from USD 1.97, according to Darden Restaurants. The stock closed at USD 216.35 on October 16, 2026, up 0.95 percent versus the NYSE prior close.

Sales grew as profit declined

The quarterly figures show a mixed operating picture. Total sales increased 5.10 percent to USD 3.20 billion in the three months ended August 30, 2026, while reported net earnings fell 9.47 percent from the prior-year quarter. The release attributed the adjusted earnings comparison to the underlying operating result, with adjusted earnings per share rising from USD 1.97 to USD 2.05.

Darden's comparable same-restaurant sales increased 3.10 percent on a fiscal-calendar basis and 3.20 percent on a comparable-calendar basis in fiscal first-quarter 2027. LongHorn Steakhouse posted comparable sales growth of 6.20 percent, while Olive Garden increased 1.10 percent, according to the company release dated September 24, 2026.

Range and valuation remain central

The NYSE price stood 5.85 percent below Darden's 52-week high of USD 229.76 and 27.96 percent above its 52-week low of USD 169.00 on October 16, 2026. Trading volume was 1,129,582 shares against an average volume of 1,185,156 shares.

Darden's market capitalization was USD 24.5 billion, its trailing P/E ratio was 21.13, and its forward dividend yield was 3.00 percent on October 16, 2026. Yahoo Finance listed a one-year analyst target of USD 233.44 and the next earnings date as December 18, 2026.

Comparison with peers

Darden Restaurants (NYSE, USD): plus 0.95 percent, P/E 21.13, market capitalization USD 24.5 billion
Brinker International (NYSE, USD): minus 0.38 percent, P/E 18.78, market capitalization USD 8.5 billion
Texas Roadhouse (Nasdaq, USD): minus 1.50 percent, P/E 26.94, market capitalization USD 11.1 billion

Next date and closing level

Darden's next scheduled earnings date is December 18, 2026. Its quarterly dividend of USD 1.62 per share is scheduled for payment on November 2, 2026, to shareholders of record on October 9, 2026, according to the September 24, 2026 company release.

At the NYSE, Darden Restaurants stock closed at USD 216.35 on October 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EDT. The October 17, 2026 publication date fell outside the NYSE session.