BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Darden Restaurants: A survivor ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/25/darden-restaurants-a-survivor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/25/darden-restaurants-a-survivor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/25/darden-restaurants-a-survivor/#commentsFiled under: ,

The U.S. restaurant sector certainly has taken it on the chin as a result of the recession, which has shifted Americans into "frugal consumer" mode.

In general, analysts are understandably bearish on the sector, and so am I, but there are exceptions, and Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) is one. Darden's shares have pulled-back $10 recently to roughly $33 and that sets up a decent entry point. Here's why:

Continue reading Darden Restaurants: A survivor

Darden Restaurants: A survivor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>olive gardenOliveGardenred lobsterRedLobsterrestaurantsThu, 25 Jun 2009 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Darden posts fourth-quarter earnings, can it boost the shares?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/24/darden-posts-fourth-quarter-earnings-can-it-boost-the-shares/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/24/darden-posts-fourth-quarter-earnings-can-it-boost-the-shares/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/24/darden-posts-fourth-quarter-earnings-can-it-boost-the-shares/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Restaurateur, Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) announced that fourth-quarter net income checked in at 87 cents per share, up from 71 cents per share a year ago. The company also reported that sales increased to $1.97 billion from $1.82 billion. The eatery operator's sales were boosted by an extra week of business in the most recent quarter.

In a statement, the company's CEO Clarence Otis noted that the company is hoping for an improvement in overall restaurant industry conditions and sales trends, but the current challenging environment is likely to continue through all of fiscal 2010. Otis stated that "there are reasons to believe there might be some favorable changes. However, given the current level of uncertainty, we think it's prudent to be cautious in developing our plans for the year."

Continue reading Darden posts fourth-quarter earnings, can it boost the shares?

Darden posts fourth-quarter earnings, can it boost the shares? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dardendarden restaurantsDardenRestaurantsdriinthenewsOlive GardenOliveGardenquarterly earningsQuarterlyEarningsRed LobsterRedLobsterrestaurantsWed, 24 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI): I love a bargain!]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/darden-restaurants-inc-dri-i-love-a-bargain/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/darden-restaurants-inc-dri-i-love-a-bargain/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/darden-restaurants-inc-dri-i-love-a-bargain/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The past six weeks of volatility and downward pressure on stocks has created many excellent buying opportunities. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) has seen its share price drop and, having followed the company's performance for years, I can say that it is unwarranted.

I love its chains, Red Lobster and Olive Garden, both of which have shown consistent, long-term growth. I respect General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) which gave birth to Darden and which eventually spun-off the company. I worked for General Mills from 1990 to 1992 and recall the careful strategic development and planning process that went into its positioning and expanding the family-style casual dining restaurant concept.

I also recall the emphasis and cultural imperative within General Mills --- fresh food and quality always.

Continue reading Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI): I love a bargain!

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI): I love a bargain! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRIfeaturedGISHilary on StocksHilaryOnStocksOlive GardenOliveGardenRARE HospitalityRareHospitalityRed LobsterRedLobsterStocks to buyStocksToBuyWed, 29 Aug 2007 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darden posts disappointing results]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/20/darden-posts-disappointing-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/20/darden-posts-disappointing-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/20/darden-posts-disappointing-results/#commentsFiled under: ,

Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE: DRI), the casual dining restaurant chain that owns and operates the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, and Seasons 52 restaurant concepts, reported disappointing earnings last night after market close -- missing the consensus on both EPS and revenues.

As analysts expected the company to trade mostly in-line with their expectations, the terrible earnings report came as a negative surprise coming from the stock that had been upgraded nine times over the course of the past year. The company traded down 3.39% in pre-market trading, after trading near lifetime highs prior to the release.

Several analysts feel that Darden's reported $55.1 million loss for Q4 is reflective of a charge-off for selling 65 Smokey Bones restaurants over the past quarter; the company put another 73 Smokey Bones' restaurants up for sale in the quarter.

Following the decision to sell many of the Smokey Bones restaurants, CEO Clarence Otis said that the company would remain optimistic about making a "major acquisition." Let's face it, with their earnings, right now they need it.

Darden posts disappointing results originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DardenDarden RestaurantsDardenRestaurantsdisappointed analystsDisappointedAnalystsDRIearningsOlive GardenOliveGardenRed LobsterRedLobsterrevenueSmokey BonesSmokeyBonesWed, 20 Jun 2007 14:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Darden Restaurants 3Q earnings results]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/28/darden-restaurants-3q-earnings-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/28/darden-restaurants-3q-earnings-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/28/darden-restaurants-3q-earnings-results/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI), owners of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones, posted 3Q 2006 earnings recently. In its press release, Darden Restaurants management claims record diluted net earnings of 0.72 per share, a 7% increase over 3Q 2005. Net sales increased 4.7% to $1.54 billion.


Sounds good so far. But Darden bought back 4.3 million of its own shares this quarter. This dilutes the number of shares outstanding so the 7% increase in earnings per share is actually closer to 1.5%. Total earnings per share budged up a little bit to $106.4 million for the quarter.

Darden's press release trumpets the fact that Olive Garden recorded its 50th consecutive quarter of same-restaurant sales growth. This quarter sales were up 1%, just barely enough to keep the streak alive. 3Q revenues were up to $722.4 million, in part due to a net increase of 28 new Olive Garden locations.

Same-restaurant 3Q sales were up 4.6% at Red Lobster, with overall sales up to $684.2 million. 3Q sales were down less than 1% at Bahama Breeze, to $38 million. Likewise, 3Q sales were down 1.5% to $87.2 million at Smokey Bones.

Darden management forecasts very modest sales growth of 2-3% for FY 2007, while opening 35-40 new locations throughout the year.

Darden Restaurants 3Q earnings results originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Darden RestaurantsDardenRestaurantsDRIearnings reportEarningsReportOlive GardenOliveGardenRed LobsterRedLobsterWed, 28 Mar 2007 16:15:00 EST