Q4 adj EPS 2.65 usd, above expectations (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - New York, 20 Jun - Darden Restaurants said total sales in its 2024 fiscal fourth quarter rose 6.8% to 2.96 billion dollars, driven by sales from the addition of 80 company-owned Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants and 37 other net new restaurants.

Net income in the quarter was 308.1 million dollars, or 2.57 dollars per share, compared to 315.1 million, or 2.58 per share, in the same period last year.

Excluding costs related to the Ruth's Chris acquisition and other items, EPS was 2.65 dollars per share, above a market consensus of 2.61.

Darden said in fiscal 2025 it expected earnings per share from continuing operations of 9.40-9.60 dollars, in line with market expectations of 9.55.

It said it expects net sales of 11.8-11.9 billion dollars.

At 1158 GMT, Darden shares were up 3.6% in premarket trade.

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(RADIOCOR) 20-06-24 14:10:35 (0394) 5 NNNN