Darden's comparable-sales growth falls short as costs outpace sales

Darden Restaurants posted 3.1% comparable-sales growth in its first quarter, below analysts’ 3.3% estimate, while operating costs rose 6.5% to nearly $2.9 billion, growing faster than sales. The company kept its full-year earnings-per-share guidance unchanged.

The panel cited higher food, beverage and labor costs. During the discussion, Darden shares were down about 0.3%; a panelist said they were up 16% year to date.