Darden price target raised to $210 from $205 at BTIG

BTIG raised the firm’s price target on Darden (DRI) to $210 from $205 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares after its Q3 results. Despite a 100 bps same-store sales miss, Darden still delivered in-line EPS of $2.80 driven by better restaurant-level margin and G&A, and the firm was encouraged by the notable comp acceleration in March to-date, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Weather and calendar shifts combined for a 190 bps sales drag, but adjusting for these impacts, transaction growth continued for all consumers earning over $50K annually, the firm adds.