After analyzing weekly charts of all S&P 500 stocks, I found only 21 with “confidently optimistic” patterns, indicating a challenging market in 2025. My focus is on stocks with better odds of appreciating in 2025, not on beating the S&P 500 or achieving the highest returns. The four stocks I picked out from the crowd —Edwards Lifesciences, Jabil Inc., Kroger, and Darden Restaurants—show strong technical potential despite mixed fundamentals.
Darden's diversified portfolio, operational excellence and strategic initiatives propel it for growth.
Darden Restaurants: The Jewel Of FSRs Seems To Shine Brighter Now
I upgrade Darden Restaurants (DRI) from sell to hold, recognizing its ability to thrive in a tough promotional environment and maintain strong margins. DRI's recent performance, including a revenue beat and expanded margins, demonstrates resilience and potential for revenue growth despite intense competition. Olive Garden's positive SSSG, LongHorn's loyal customer base, and the promising Uber Eats partnership are key growth drivers for DRI.
Darden Restaurants reported a strong Q2, with a 15% stock surge driven by a $20M revenue beat and a $0.01 EPS beat. Key growth factors include the acquisition of 103 Chuy's restaurants and a 2.4% increase in same-restaurant sales, especially LongHorn Steakhouse's 10.4% YoY growth. Margins improved due to reduced food, beverage, and labor expenses, leading to a 70bps increase in restaurant-level EBITDA.
Major U.S. equities indexes finished Thursday little changed after a sharp sell-off a day earlier.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. has shown resilience with strong Q2 2025 results, surpassing revenue and earnings expectations, driving a justified rally in the stock. Comparable sales growth was led by LongHorn Steakhouse at 7.5%, while Olive Garden also performed well; fine dining saw a decline. DRI's strategic actions, including price adjustments and cost control, have been effective, supporting a positive outlook and continued stock holding.
Darden Restaurants' sales climbed this quarter despite diners shying away from its fine-dining establishments. The company, owner of chains such as Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, released earnings Thursday (Dec. 19) that showed total sales increasing 6% to $2.9 billion.
Darden Restaurants, Inc.'s stock surged 14% after strong earnings, with shares up 28% since my last 'buy' rating, surpassing my $160 price target. Darden's revenue grew 6% to $2.9 billion, driven by same-restaurant sales, M&A, and margin recovery, with Olive Garden and LongHorn performing well. Updated guidance projects $12.1 billion in sales and $9.45-$9.65 EPS, and the stock is supported by a solid balance sheet, share repurchases, and a secure 3.5% dividend yield.
Shares of Darden Restaurants (DRI 15.16%) soared to a new all-time high on Thursday morning following the release of robust second-quarter results. The restaurant operator's stock peaked at an overnight gain of 18.1% before backing down to a 15.5% uptick at 1:30 p.m.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI ) Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call December 19, 2024 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Phil McClain - Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations Rick Cardenas - President and Chief Executive Officer Raj Vennam - Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants David Palmer - Evercore ISI Eric Gonzalez - KeyBanc Capital Markets Jim Salera - Stephens Peter Saleh - BTIG Jeffrey Bernstein - Barclays Sara Senatore - Bank of America Andrew Charles - TD Cowen Andrew Strelzick - BMO Capital Markets Brian Harbour - Morgan Stanley Lauren Silberman - Deutsche Bank Jon Tower - Citi Dennis Geiger - UBS Gregory Francfort - Guggenheim Danilo Gargiulo - Bernstein David Tarantino - Baird Rahul Krotthapalli - JPMorgan Jake Bartlett - Truist Securities Operator Greetings, and welcome to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Q2 Fiscal Year 2025 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode.
Shares of Darden Restaurants (DRI) surged 14% Thursday to lead S&P 500 gainers as the company's fiscal 2025 second-quarter sales and adjusted profit beat expectations on strong LongHorn Steakhouse results.