1458 ET - Don't be surprised if Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants doesn't raise fiscal 2026 guidance even if its 1Q results top estimates, Baird analysts say in a research note. The company has more difficult comparisons in upcoming quarters and may be dealing with higher commodity inflation from record-high beef prices, the analysts say. Beef costs make up about a quarter of Darden's basket, and only half of those costs were locked in for the first half of fiscal 2026, with the rest of the fiscal year looking less clear, they say. There are also lingering uncertainties about the consumer spending backdrop, given shaky jobs numbers clouding the short-term outlook, the analysts say. (dean.seal@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 15, 2025 14:58 ET (18:58 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.