Darden restaurants executive sells over $981k in company stock

Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:) has reported a significant stock transaction by one of its top executives in a recent filing. Douglas J. Milanes, the Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of the company, sold 5,705 shares of Darden Restaurants stock. The transaction, which took place on September 23, 2024, amounted to over $981,000, with shares sold at an average price of $172.04.

The sale was executed in multiple trades with prices ranging from $171.69 to $172.36, reflecting a weighted average sale price as reported in the filing. Following the transaction, Milanes still owns 3,834.323 shares of Darden Restaurants stock. It is noted that the shares owned following the transaction include those acquired through the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the dividend reinvestment feature of the plan.

Investors often monitor insider transactions as they provide insights into executives’ perspectives on the company’s current valuation and future prospects. The details of the sale, including the number of shares and the prices at which the transaction was effected, are available upon request to the SEC staff, the issuer, or a security holder of the issuer, as per the footnote in the filing.

Darden Restaurants Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a leading name in the full-service restaurant industry and operates several well-known restaurant brands. The sale reported by Milanes comes as a notable event for investors and market watchers, providing a glimpse into executive stock ownership trends at Darden Restaurants.

In other recent news, Darden Restaurants has experienced several financial adjustments following its first-quarter earnings report. The company reported a slight 1% increase in sales, reaching $2.8 billion, and an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.75, falling short of expectations. Despite this, Darden reaffirmed its full-year financial guidance, buoyed by a recovery in sales trends and strategic initiatives such as a new partnership with Uber (NYSE:) for delivery services.

The company’s future acquisition of Chuy’s is also expected to have a neutral impact on earnings per share. This move, along with the new delivery initiative, is part of Darden’s efforts to navigate a competitive landscape and capitalize on emerging business opportunities.

Several financial firms have adjusted their price targets for Darden Restaurants. KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its target to $194, BMO Capital to $175, Raymond James to $187, and TD Cowen to $165. Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to “Outperform” and raised its target to $205, while Piper Sandler maintained a neutral stance with a $177 target.

These recent developments indicate a steady path forward for Darden Restaurants, despite the industry-wide challenges encountered in the recent quarter. The company’s ongoing strategies and future performance will continue to be closely watched by investors.

InvestingPro Insights

Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI) has recently witnessed noteworthy insider activity, which is often a valuable indicator for investors. In the context of this insider sale, it is important to consider the company’s financial health and market performance. Darden’s market capitalization stands at a robust $20.14 billion, and the stock has been trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.39, which suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium for its earnings.

Looking at performance metrics, Darden has enjoyed a significant return over the last week, with a 7.52% price total return, indicating a strong short-term performance that may have influenced the timing of the insider transaction. Moreover, the company’s dividend yield as of the previous year was 3.27%, and it has notably maintained dividend payments for 30 consecutive years, a testament to its commitment to returning value to shareholders. This is further supported by the fact that Darden has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years, reflecting confidence in its financial stability and future growth prospects.

InvestingPro Tips include insights that Darden is trading near its 52-week high, with the price at 95.63% of this peak, and analysts predict the company will be profitable this year. These factors combined paint a picture of a company that is performing well and is recognized by the market as a potentially solid investment. For investors seeking more detailed analysis and additional tips, there are 11 more InvestingPro Tips available for Darden Restaurants on InvestingPro.