Business
Darden Restaurants (DRI) Q1 2027 earnings
Darden Restaurants on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that narrowly missed analysts’ expectations as same-store sales growth at Olive Garden slows.
Shares of the company fell as much as 5% in premarket trading but pared back their losses as executives reassured investors on the company’s earnings conference call. The stock was down about 2% in morning trading.
Short-term challenges like consumers’ cyclospora concerns and the World Cup tournament weighed on Darden’s same-store sales during the quarter, executives said. However, CEO Rick Cardenas said that Darden’s restaurant chains are performing better in September, and costs of key commodities, like beef, are projected to improve later in the fiscal year.
Here’s what the company reported for the quarter ended Aug. 30 compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share from continuing operations: $2.05 vs. $2.06 expected
- Revenue: $3.20 billion vs. $3.21 billion expected
Darden reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $233.4 million, or $2.04 per share, down from $257.8 million, or $2.19 per share, a year earlier.
Net sales rose 5.1% to $3.20 billion.
The company’s same-store sales increased 3.1% during the fiscal quarter as each of Darden’s business units reported growth. But the World Cup weighed on demand for Darden’s restaurants early in the quarter, dragging the company’s same-store sales down by 80 basis points, or 0.8%, CFO Raj Vennam said.
LongHorn Steakhouse was once again the top performer of the portfolio this quarter, as same-store sales rose 6.2%. The chain has overtaken Olive Garden to become Darden’s top performer, although it still accounts for a smaller share of the company’s overall revenue.
Olive Garden saw its same-store sales inch up 1.1%. While it is still the company’s largest chain by both number of locations and sales, Olive Garden has seen its growth weaken as diners have become more choosy about their spending.
And while many consumers may think about pasta or breadsticks when they consider dining at Olive Garden, the chain was not immune to industry concerns about the deadly cyclospora outbreaks this summer tied to fresh produce.
“During the quarter, Olive Garden was prepared to communicate about one of its core brand equities, unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks, but quickly pivoted away from their planned marketing support in response to external events that led to broader consumer concern about lettuce,” Cardenas told analysts on the company’s quarterly earnings call.
Instead, Olive Garden will run the campaign during the current quarter.
To fuel sales further, Olive Garden is going to lean into weekday lunch occasions. Cardenas said the team is working on “several opportunities” focused on value to drive more traffic during the relatively sleepy daypart.
Darden’s fine-dining business reported same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The segment includes chains like The Capital Grille and Ruth’s Chris.
Executives said that traffic to the company’s fine-dining restaurants is still below pre-pandemic levels. However, traffic trends have been improving, and those restaurants have taken lower price increases than the rest of Darden’s portfolio.
“We are seeing that business spending is still low,” Cardenas said. “We’re starting to see some growth in private dining.”
The company’s remaining chains, which are grouped under its “other business” division, saw same-store sales grow 3.8% in the quarter. The segment includes Yard House, which saw same-store sales climb 10%, fueled by the World Cup. It was the only Darden chain to report a benefit from the tournament.
“Yard House is a high potential growth brand,” Cardenas said, adding that the beer-centric chain is the company’s third billion-dollar brand, as of last week.
Yard House will open 13 new restaurants in fiscal 2027. Five of those openings will be conversions from Darden’s now-shuttered Bahama Breeze chain.
Darden also reiterated its forecast for fiscal 2027. The company is projecting total sales of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and net earnings per share from continuing operations in a range of $11.10 to $11.35.
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How LED Lighting Can Improve Efficiency and Performance in UK Commercial Buildings
However, proper lighting not only influences how the working environment feels but also determines safety for movement around a building and the amount of energy consumption that goes on in the course of daily business operations. This means that for contractors, architects, facilities managers and property owners, selecting proper LED solutions cannot simply boil down to a mere replacement of bulbs.
Why LED Lighting Makes Sense for Commercial Spaces
Lighting efficiency is of paramount importance in commercial structures due to the long period of operation during the day in many cases. The offices may be kept lit all through the workday; warehouse, shop, factory or hotel lighting may need much more time.
LED lights are common in these facilities since it offers both energy-efficient solutions, as well as good durability and constant illumination. It may come handy in situations when the reduction of energy use and maintenance becomes a priority of the project.
The advantages may include:
- Lower electrical energy consumption in comparison with other less efficient lighting solutions
- Higher longevity and reduced need for replacements
- Constant illumination of large workspaces
- Wide range of different light colour temperature, beam angle and types of lamps
- Better flexibility in installation and redesign works
It should be noted that the results vary depending on the lighting products used, operational time, controls and existing lighting system, so the correct analysis would be more helpful than just relying on every LED upgrade bringing the same benefits.
Choosing Lighting According to the Building
LED light fittings come in various forms and sizes, and none of them is equally suitable in every setting. A warehouse, an office, a restaurant and a car park will require different solutions.
For instance, high-bay lights could work well in the case of high ceiling buildings, while LED panels could be effective in office settings due to their wide and evenly spread illumination. LED battens could work well in utility rooms, workshops and similar facilities, while linear or track lights could be used in certain instances.
In regard to the comparison of the products of the commercial enterprise, cooperation with a competent LED lighting supplier in the UK will help both the contractors and the project team consider such factors as specifications of the products, applications, installation, and availability.
What Electrical Contractors Need to Consider
For an electrical contractor, the selection of light fittings is just the beginning. Factors like installation environment, compatibility, accessibility, control, and maintenance have to be taken into account before products are selected.
Some of the considerations that can prove helpful include:
- Power rating and power usage
- Lumens emitted and beam spread
- Color temperature and color rendering
- Size and mounting options
- Driver requirements and compatibility
- Requirement of emergency lighting, if any
- Environment conditions and ingress protection
- Future availability of replacement products
This will help avoid issues later on in the project as a light fitting that seems right on paper may not be so when the height of the ceiling, environmental conditions, and end-use of the room come into account.
Lighting Design Is About More Than Brightness
An all-too-common error made when evaluating a commercial lighting system is in measuring its effectiveness on the basis of how bright the system is. Brightness can cause discomfort in a person’s eye, while lack of adequate or evenly distributed light can make work difficult.
In lighting design, there needs to be consideration of where the light is required and how the lighting interacts with the activities taking place in that area. In an office setting, this might entail ensuring that there is adequate and comfortable lighting in the area where employees’ work stations are situated, without causing any distracting glares. Lighting in a retail setting needs to take into account the combination of general lighting and accent lighting to focus on products.
Lighting is one of the aspects architects and interior designers take into account in the aesthetics of the space.
Energy Efficiency Starts With the Whole System
Changing regular fixtures to LEDs will decrease energy consumption, however the best result might be achieved by looking into the whole lighting system. The controls, occupancy and the amount of daylight will affect the electricity usage.
The sensors, timers, dimming and zoning will allow for using the lights at the right time and place. If the business building has several operating spaces, the individual control will help to avoid wasting electricity as only the parts of the floor or the whole building are occupied.
It is especially true for the cases of renovation. Before the change of fixtures, it will be possible to assess the current situation and determine the places of excess consumption and old equipment with frequent repairs.
Working With a Suitable Lighting Supplier
For contractors and project teams, supplier assistance can be useful where a project is to involve multiple kinds of fittings or unusual installation requirements. An informed supplier with trade and commercial experience will assist in selecting products according to technical specifications, rather than always suggesting the obvious choice.
Ledex Lighting UK supplies electrical contractors, property developers, facilities management, interior designers and fit-out contractors. Ledex also offers specification services for commercial and industrial projects, as well as a trade portal and project assistance as part of its present trade range.
Another practical issue that arises with large projects is the availability of products. A delay in the supply of lights may impact other trades as well. It makes sense, therefore, to verify the availability of products before finalising the specification.
Conclusion
LED lighting has become increasingly crucial within the modern-day design of commercial buildings. However, proper selection of lighting products demands more than merely selecting energy-efficient fittings. It is essential to consider many factors, including the function of the building, ceiling height, work environment, visual demands, maintenance and control needs.
For any business in the United Kingdom, effective planning of an LED lighting installation system can help in achieving efficient lighting, reduced energy consumption and simplified maintenance. For example, a project may be concerned with either a new commercial building, office refurbishment, warehouse upgrading or retail store fit out among other options.
Business
Afya Limited (AFYA) M&A Call Transcript
Operator
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the video conference of Yduqs on the merger between Yduqs and Afya. This video conference is being recorded, and the replay can be accessed at the company’s website at www.yduqs.com.br. The presentation with the slides is available for download also on the company’s website.
This presentation has been prepared in connection with the business combination, the transaction involving Yduqs and Afya, and may contain statements and information that express forward-looking statements, assumptions or projections about future results or events. Such information includes outlook for combined business, operating and financial results as well as statements regarding the growth prospects of both companies and the combined entity resulting from the transaction.
The combined company information considers the 2Q ’26 metrics of both companies as available in their financial statements. These forward-looking statements and information do not constitute a guarantee of future performance because they are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors related to the operations and business environment of these companies. They depend substantially on external factors such as market conditions, the performance of the Brazilian company, macroeconomic variables, the industry or the companies operate in international markets, and all of them are subject to change without notice.
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Trump-Xi summit in Washington begins with great fanfare but low expectations

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Palantir: Open Weight Bet Could Be Behind The Recent Rerate (Rating Downgrade)
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Snapdeal parent AceVector raises Rs 189 crore from anchors; Negen, Singularity among top investors
Turnaround Opportunities Fund was allotted 62.49 lakh shares worth about Rs 20 crore. Alchemy Long Term Ventures Fund Series 3, Mavira Growth Opportunities Fund and LC Pharos Multi Strategy Fund VCC were each allotted 46.87 lakh shares worth about Rs 15 crore.
Other investors in the anchor book include Helios Mid Cap Fund, Helios Small Cap Fund, Ashika Global Finance, Taurus Ethical Fund, Emerge Capital Opportunities Scheme, Saint Capital Fund, ASAS Global Fund Incorporated VCC Sub Fund and TMF Holdings.
Also Read | Snapdeal IPO: GMP, price band among 10 things to know about AceVector public offer
Out of the total anchor allocation, 93.74 lakh shares, or 15.87% of the anchor investor portion, were allotted to two domestic mutual funds through three schemes. These were Helios Mid Cap Fund, Helios Small Cap Fund and Taurus Ethical Fund. The mutual fund allocation was worth about Rs 30 crore.
The company reported no applications from insurance companies and pension funds, so no allocations were made to them.
AceVector’s IPO will open on Friday, September 25, and close on Tuesday, September 29. The anchor investor bidding opened and closed on September 24.Also Read | Missed the NSE IPO? Here are 5 of the largest issues in the pipeline to keep on your radar
The price band has been fixed at Rs 30-32 per share. Investors can bid for a minimum of 468 shares and in multiples of 468 shares thereafter. At the upper price band, the minimum retail application works out to Rs 14,976.
The public issue comprises a fresh issue of Rs 287 crore and an offer for sale of up to 4,15,62,500 shares by existing shareholders. At the upper price band, the OFS is worth about Rs 133 crore, taking the total issue size to around Rs 420 crore.
The fresh issue proceeds will be used for marketing and business promotion expenses of the company’s marketplace business, technology infrastructure costs, inorganic growth through acquisitions and general corporate purposes.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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Jefferies reiterates Sarepta Therapeutics stock rating on pipeline potential

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Canadian business leader warns US trade uncertainty risks ‘capital chill’ amid global push
Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder warns trade uncertainty could chill investment as Canada diversifies, while arguing the U.S., Canada and Mexico should strengthen their economic ties.
Canada’s push to expand its economic relationships around the world should not be mistaken for a retreat from the U.S., a leading Canadian business voice told FOX Business, warning that continued uncertainty over North American trade risks creating a “capital chill” that could weigh on investment.
Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, said Canadian companies continue to view the U.S. as their most important market even as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government accelerates efforts to attract investment and expand trade with Europe and other markets.
“Even a kid with a lemonade stand would know, it’s not good for business to just have one customer,” Hyder said, describing Canada’s approach as a “U.S. Plus” strategy.
“The United States is and will be our most important trading partner,” he added.
The push comes amid a sharp deterioration in the trading relationship between the longtime allies. Nearly 68% of Canadian exports have gone to the U.S. this year, with roughly 80% of those shipments moving duty-free under exemptions provided by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to Canadian and U.S. government data cited by Reuters.
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Goldy Hyder, president and chief executive officer of Business Council of Canada, speaks at a panel discussion themed on “Revitalizing APEC: towards the Vision of an Asia-Pacific Community” during the Boao Forum for Asia BFA Annual Conference 2026 in (Wang Yiliang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Washington and Ottawa have exchanged new trade restrictions in recent weeks after negotiations broke down, adding uncertainty over the future of USMCA. The agreement remains in force, although the U.S. declined to renew it in its current form during a July review and has continued negotiations with its North American partners.
“Business does not welcome uncertainty, it shuns uncertainty, and there’s too much of that,” Hyder said.
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“The key here is the uncertainty can create capital chill, it will create hesitancy because we just can’t be sure the environment in which we’re dealing.”
That concern is shared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is urging all three governments to quickly resolve the issue.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) during the European Commission President’s annual State of the Union address at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France on Sept. 16, 2026. (Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP via Getty Images)
“For businesses and investors, it is essential to restore certainty to a North American economic partnership on which 13 million U.S. jobs depend,” Neil Herrington, the Chamber’s senior vice president for the Americas, told FOX Business.
Herrington said the Chamber wants the process concluded in a way that eliminates tariffs and broader trade restrictions while ensuring the relationship “remains trilateral.”
Carney, meanwhile, is attempting to position Canada as a more diversified destination for global capital. His government has set a goal of helping catalyze 1 trillion Canadian dollars in investment over five years, with a focus on sectors including energy, mining, technology and infrastructure.

President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office at the White House on May 6, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Canada has also pursued deeper ties with Europe. The EU is Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the U.S., accounting for $178 billion in total trade last year, Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Renelle Arsenault told FOX Business.
Arsenault said Ottawa remains committed to a “fair and stable economic relationship” with the U.S. while simultaneously diversifying its trade and investment relationships.
Hyder similarly cautioned against interpreting Canada’s outreach abroad as an alternative to North American economic integration.
“I don’t believe there’s any scenario in which we seek to have more regulatory and/or tax or other types of integration with Europe because it’s nowhere near as competitive as we are, and certainly you are in terms of what we have going when it comes to the USMCA,” he said.
“That is the foundational trade architecture under which we operate.”
Hyder also dismissed concerns that Washington’s separate negotiations with Canada and Mexico signal that the three-country framework is fragmenting.

Sections of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline are seen on the construction site on the White Earth Nation Reservation near Wauburn, Minnesota, on June 5, 2021. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)
“All roads point to a merger. All roads point to this coming together trilaterally,” Hyder said, adding that businesses are seeking a “timely, trilateral, tariff-exempt” review and renewal of the USMCA.
Global Affairs Canada likewise said all three countries “would benefit from restoring greater certainty” to the North American free-trade arrangement.
Looking beyond the current dispute, Hyder pointed to energy, nuclear power, food security and critical minerals as areas where the three countries could deepen cooperation and strengthen North American supply chains.
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“It shouldn’t be… America at the expense of Mexico and Canada,” Hyder said. “It should be America, Mexico and Canada thinking as North Americans that we can work together to compete with the rest of the world.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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