Restaurant chain Darden Restaurants (DRI), first discussed here on June 25, 2009, at a price of $32.78, has formed a double-top near $51. So now would be a good time to consider taking some profits off the table, if you're in near $33.

However, those investors who can tolerate the risk can maintain their full position and go for an bigger gain, but investors should keep in mind that Darden probably won't clear $60 in 2011. The potential upside is still adequate, but not fantastic.

Continue reading Darden Restaurants: Time to Take Some Profits?

Darden Restaurants: Time to Take Some Profits? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Experienced investors know that in the frugal consumer era, one should move cautiously regarding restaurant plays, due to sector consolidation.

Restaurant chain Darden Restaurants (DRI), first discussed on June 25, 2009, at a price of $32.78, will likely be among the sector's survivors. Here's why.

Continue reading Darden: Restaurant Sector Winner

Darden: Restaurant Sector Winner originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Darden Restaurants knows how to attract those precious, discretionary dollars

Darden Restaurants knows how to attract those precious, discretionary dollars originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

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.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) Q1 earnings tumbled while revenues rose.
• Casella Waste Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST) posted a narrower-than-expected Q4 loss.
• CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) Q1 earnings increased but its revenue slipped.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) swung to a Q4 profit on strong sales at Olive Garden.
• Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) said it might not see Q2 profit growth on lower demand and shipping delays.
• General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) Q4 earnings declined but were in line with expectations.
• Gerber Scientific Inc. (NYSE: GRB) reported solid Q4 and full-year results that pleased investors.
• IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS) beat Q2 expectations and posted record quarterly cash flow from operations.
• Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) stronger-than-expected Q3 results led to an analyst's upgrade.
• KB Home (NYSE: KBH) widened its Q2 loss due to weak sales and falling prices.
• Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) beat Q1 expectations as consumers sought discounts on food and gas.
• Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) beat Q3 earnings estimates but fell short of revenue estimates.
• Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) posted better-than-expected Q4 results boosted by international strength.
• Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) posted strong Q4 results that topped analysts' expectations (see transcript).

Continue reading Earnings highlights: RIM, Oracle, KB Home, Nike, Kroger, Walgreen and others

Earnings highlights: RIM, Oracle, KB Home, Nike, Kroger, Walgreen and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On Tuesday, both Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation's largest traditional grocer, and casual dining chain operator Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) reported better-than-expected profit increases.

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. said first-quarter profits rose 15% from the year-ago quarter to $386 million, or 58 cents per share, due in part to discounts on food, gas, and drugs that drew in budget-strapped consumers. For the quarter ended May 24, revenue climbed 12% to $23.11 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a earnings of 55 cents a share on revenue of $22.32 billion.

Kroger also reported that same-store sales rose 5.8%, excluding fuel, and 9.2% including fuel sales.

The company offered fiscal-year earnings guidance of $1.85 to $1.90 per share, compared to the analysts' forecast of $1.90 per share.

Kroger shares rose $1.82 Tuesday to $27.82, then fell in after-hours trading. The shares have risen 10.2% in the past three months.

Continue reading Kroger, Darden Restaurants rise on profit increases

Kroger, Darden Restaurants rise on profit increases originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

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.

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.