Zacks raises earnings estimate for Darden Restaurants stock to USD 2.27
Published on 10/20/2026 at 20:37 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSEstimate and operating figures
- Zacks Research raised its fiscal second-quarter 2027 earnings estimate from USD 2.22 to USD 2.27 on October 7, 2026.
- Darden declared a USD 1.62 quarterly dividend payable on November 2, 2026.
- Darden Restaurants stock costs EUR 193.63 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 8:32 p.m. CEST.
- Darden Restaurants had a USD 24.6 billion market capitalization on October 20, 2026.
Darden Restaurants (ISIN US2371941053) is facing a higher fiscal second-quarter earnings estimate after MarketBeat reported on October 9, 2026 that Zacks Research had lifted its forecast from USD 2.22 to USD 2.27 in a report issued October 7. Darden Restaurants stock was trading at EUR 193.63 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 8:32 p.m. CEST.
Estimate moves above USD 2.20
The estimate change is small in absolute terms but gives investors a precise benchmark for the next quarterly report. The increase from USD 2.22 to USD 2.27 equals 2.25 percent and applies to fiscal second-quarter 2027 adjusted earnings per share, according to MarketBeat.
On October 16, 2026, Raymond James reiterated a Hold rating on Darden Restaurants, with the report carried by Markets Insider. The same report cited a USD 238.00 average analyst target, while the current USD 217.87 primary-market quote leaves a USD 20.13 difference.
What does the estimate change?
Darden's fiscal first-quarter 2027 sales reached USD 3.20 billion for the period ended August 30, 2026, up 5.10 percent from USD 3.04 billion a year earlier. Reported net earnings were USD 233.40 million, compared with USD 257.80 million in the prior-year quarter. Those figures came from the company's September 24 release, which also reported 3.10 percent blended same-restaurant sales growth and 2,218 continuing-operation restaurants.
Dividend and valuation markers
Darden Restaurants declared a USD 1.62 quarterly dividend on September 24, 2026, payable November 2, 2026. The latest market figures put Darden at a USD 24.6 billion market capitalization, a 21.25 price-to-earnings ratio and a 3.00 percent dividend yield on October 20, 2026.
Comparison with peers
Darden Restaurants: 21.25 price-to-earnings ratio, USD 24.6 billion market capitalization. Texas Roadhouse (NYSE, USD): 27.20 price-to-earnings ratio, USD 11.2 billion market capitalization. Brinker International (NYSE, USD): 18.04 price-to-earnings ratio, USD 8.2 billion market capitalization.
Stock position for investors
Darden's current estimate, dividend and recent operating figures point to a market story built around earnings delivery rather than a new corporate date. The next scheduled payment is November 2, 2026, while the latest company release reaffirmed fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings per share guidance of USD 11.10 to USD 11.35.
Darden Restaurants stock was trading at EUR 193.63 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 8:32 p.m. CEST. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Darden Restaurants stock.
Darden Restaurants market facts
- Company: Darden Restaurants, Inc.
- ISIN: US2371941053
- Ticker: DRI
- Primary exchange: NYSE
- Price Lang & Schwarz (as of October 20, 2026, 8:32 p.m. CEST): EUR 193.63
- Market capitalization: USD 24.6 billion (as of October 20, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 169.00-229.76 (as of October 20, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants
- Dividend yield: 3.00 percent (as of October 20, 2026)
Market context: Market report S&P 500.
