Darden Restaurants, Inc. Presents at Barclays Retail and Consumer Discretionary Conference, Apr-30-2013 10:35 AM. Venue: Barclays Office, 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York, United States. Speakers: C. Bradford Richmond, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. Presents at Morgan Stanley Retail & Restaurant Conference, Apr-04-2013 08:00 AM. Venue: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Florida, United States. Speakers: Clarence Otis, Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Executive Committee.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended February 24, 2013. For the quarter, the company’s sales were $2,258.2 million against $2,159.7 million a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $173.2 million against $217.8 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations were $134.5 million against $164.1 million a year ago. Net earnings were $134.4 million against $164.1 million a year ago. Diluted earnings from continuing operations were $1.02 against $1.25 a year ago. Net earnings per share diluted were $1.02 against $1.25 a year ago. For the nine months, the company’s sales were $6,253.0 million against $5,933.2 million a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $362.6 million against $437.3 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations were $279.35 million against $325.0 million a year ago. Net earnings were $278.8 million against $324.3 million a year ago. Diluted earnings from continuing operations were $2.13 against $2.43 a year ago. Net earnings per share diluted were $2.12 against $2.42 a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $690.0 million against $550.5 million a year ago. Purchase of land, buildings and equipment was $518.5 million against $483.4 million a year ago. The board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 50 cents per share on the company’s outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on May 1, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2013. The company affirmed its financial outlook for fiscal 2013. The company anticipates total sales growth for the year of between +6% and +7%, which reflects combined U.S. same-restaurant sales for the year for Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse that is expected to be between -1.5% to -2.5%, incremental sales starting in fiscal September from the acquisition of Yard House and the addition of approximately 105 net new restaurants this year, not including the initial 40 Yard House restaurants in operation when the acquisition was completed. The company expects diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations for fiscal 2013 are to be in the range of $3.06 to $3.22, which includes approximately 9 cents of transaction and closing costs associated with the purchase of Yard House. The company estimate that annual effective rate will be in the mid 22% range.