Mizuho raises target for Darden Restaurants stock to USD 245

Published on 10/01/2026 at 12:29 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Fiscal first-quarter sales hit USD 3.20 billion, up 5.10 percent. Darden Restaurants stock costs EUR 171.73 on October 1, 2026 after EUR 170.75.

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Darden Restaurants stock (ISIN US2371941053) was at EUR 171.73 at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026 at 12:18 p.m. CEST, up 0.57 percent versus the prior close of EUR 170.75. Mizuho raised its Darden Restaurants price target from USD 235.00 to USD 245.00 on September 25, 2026, according to Investing.com.

Mizuho lifts target to USD 245

The target increase followed Darden's fiscal 2027 first-quarter report, while Mizuho kept its Outperform rating. The firm also lifted its fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share estimate from USD 11.29 to USD 11.30, but the investment case still depends on stronger performance at Olive Garden.

Darden Restaurants reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter sales of USD 3.20 billion for the period ended August 30, 2026, an increase of 5.10 percent from USD 3.04 billion. Reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were USD 2.05, up 4.10 percent from the prior year's adjusted USD 1.97.

LongHorn leads fiscal sales growth

The operating mix was uneven. Comparable sales rose 6.20 percent at LongHorn Steakhouse and 1.10 percent at Olive Garden, while consolidated comparable sales increased 3.20 percent on a comparable-calendar basis in fiscal 2027's first quarter.

Darden also reaffirmed fiscal 2027 diluted earnings-per-share guidance of USD 11.10 to USD 11.35. The board declared a quarterly dividend of USD 1.62 per share, payable on November 2, 2026, to shareholders of record on October 9, 2026, and the company repurchased USD 222.3 million of stock during the quarter, according to Darden Restaurants.

Stock stays near its yearly low

On the NYSE, Darden's DRI shares were last at USD 193.35 on September 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The USD 22.1 billion market capitalization and the USD 169.00 to USD 229.76 52-week range put the latest US quote closer to the yearly low than the high, while the euro quote reflects a different venue and currency.

December results date is set

Darden plans to release fiscal 2027 second-quarter earnings on December 18, 2026, before the market opens, according to the Yahoo Finance earnings-call transcript. For investors, the next test is whether LongHorn's 6.20 percent comparable-sales growth can offset the slower 1.10 percent pace at Olive Garden.

EUR 171.73 in trading

Darden Restaurants stock was at EUR 171.73 at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026 at 12:18 p.m. CEST, up 0.57 percent versus the prior close of EUR 170.75. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Darden Restaurants stock.