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In a recent transaction, Charles M. Sonsteby, a director at Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI), sold 8,005 shares of the company’s common stock. The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $204.56, resulting in a total transaction value of approximately $1.64 million. This sale was executed in multiple trades, with prices ranging from $204.31 to $204.78 per share. Following the sale, Sonsteby retains ownership of 21,943 shares in the company.The transaction comes as Darden, now valued at $24.3 billion, trades near its 52-week high of $211. The stock has shown strong momentum with a 29% gain over the past six months and currently trades at a P/E ratio of 23.4x. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears to be trading above its Fair Value, with 12 additional key insights available to subscribers.
In other recent news, Darden Restaurants has seen several analysts revise their outlooks following the company’s third-quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings report. KeyBanc increased its price target to $220, noting that while same-store sales growth slightly missed expectations due to weather and calendar shifts, stronger-than-expected restaurant-level margins provided a positive offset. Meanwhile, UBS raised its target to $225, maintaining a Buy rating, citing resilient sales trends despite external challenges and highlighting the company’s plans to open new locations and increase capital expenditures in fiscal year 2026.
Guggenheim also adjusted its price target to $220, reflecting a revised fiscal year 2026 earnings per share estimate, which considers a 53rd week in the fiscal calendar. Stifel raised its target to $215, acknowledging Darden’s solid same-restaurant sales trends and the progress of its Uber (NYSE:UBER) Direct delivery service. BofA Securities went further, increasing its target to $238, emphasizing Darden’s strong underlying trends and the potential of its partnership with Uber Direct to drive sales growth.
These recent developments showcase a generally optimistic outlook from analysts on Darden Restaurants’ ability to maintain momentum and capitalize on growth opportunities. The company’s strategic initiatives, such as expanding delivery services and opening new locations, are seen as potential drivers of future performance. Despite external challenges, analysts remain confident in Darden’s capacity to navigate the competitive restaurant industry.
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