This post was originally published on this site
It quickly recovered as the economy opened up, delivering a 51% total sales growth in the first quarter of the 2022 fiscal year, and 47.5% same-store sales growth. I am bullish on the stock.
Wall Street has anticipated the company’s speedy comeback, sending its shares to a new high in recent months.
How much upside is left? About 11.5%, according to 20 Wall Street analysts who followed its shares in the past three months.
They have an average price target of $171.29, with a high forecast of $185, and a low forecast of $155.
TipRanks assigns the company a Smart Score of 9 out of 10, citing strong fundamentals and technicals, and increased hedge fund activity.
Still, predicting where the stock is heading over the next 12 months is a tricky task, as the company faces both headwinds and tailwinds.
Headwinds, Tailwinds
As is the case with businesses across America, Darden faces the headwinds of rising food and energy prices, and labor shortages, raising its operating costs.
At the same time, Darden is facing the tailwinds of the opening up of the American economy, and the rising vaccination rates that make people more comfortable dining out.
Also, it’s facing the tailwind of the high savings rate among American households accumulated during the pandemic. Some of these savings will end up being spent on dining out.
Thus far, many businesses, including restaurants, have managed to use these tailwinds to raise their prices and pass the higher costs associated with the headwinds on to consumers.
Dining out is a discretionary activity though, meaning that full-service restaurants must find other ways to maintain their profitability. They must capitalize on their competitive advantages, and Darden has many.
Multiple Advantages
Darden Restaurants is a collection of 1,834 full-service brand name restaurants in the U.S. and Canada: 875 under Olive Garden; 533 under LongHorn Steakhouse name; 170 under Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen; 81 under Yard House; 63 under The Capital Grille, 44 under the Seasons 52; 26 under Eddie V’s Prime Seafood brands; and 42 under Bahama Breeze.
Managing many restaurants under different brands allows Darden to achieve economies of scale that cut costs, and raise profitability. The opening up of new stores (35 to 40 in fiscal 2022), allows the company to grow its sales.
Bottom Line
Darden Restaurants is well-positioned to ride the re-opening of the U.S. economy, and deliver superior returns to its stockholders.
Disclosure: At the time of publication, Panos Mourdoukoutas no position in Darden Restaurants
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article represents the views and opinion of the writer only, and not the views or opinion of TipRanks or its affiliates, and should be considered for informational purposes only. TipRanks makes no warranties about the completeness, accuracy or reliability of such information. Nothing in this article should be taken as a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Nothing in the article constitutes legal, professional, investment and/or financial advice and/or takes into account the specific needs and/or requirements of an individual, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters or subject discussed therein. TipRanks and its affiliates disclaim all liability or responsibility with respect to the content of the article, and any action taken upon the information in the article is at your own and sole risk. The link to this article does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TipRanks or its affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results, prices or performance.
