Darden Restaurants Beats EPS Estimate at $3.66 but Same-Store Sales Growth Disappoints

According to CNBC, Darden Restaurants reported Thursday its fiscal fourth quarter earnings per share of $3.66, exceeding the Wall Street consensus estimate of $3.63. However, the company's revenue came in at $3.72 billion, slightly below the expected $3.73 billion, and same-store sales growth at its fine-dining restaurants and Olive Garden fell short of expectations.

Net income rose to $404.9 million, or $3.51 per share, from $303.8 million, or $2.58 per share, a year earlier. Net sales climbed 13.7% to $3.72 billion, aided by an extra week in the fiscal year. Shares declined more than 1% in premarket trading.