12:12 PM EST, 12/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with latest stock price movement in the headline and first paragraph.)

Darden Restaurants' ( DRI ) shares were up more than 14% in recent trading Thursday after the company reported fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and sales that beat analysts' consensus.

The company reported fiscal Q2 adjusted diluted earnings of $2.03, up from $1.84 a year earlier.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected $2.02.

Sales for the quarter ended Nov. 24 were $2.89 billion, compared with $2.73 billion a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $2.87 billion.

The company reiterated fiscal 2025 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $9.40 to $9.60. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expect non-GAAP EPS pf $9.42. The company raised its annual sales guidance to about $12.1 billion from the previous outlook of $11.8 billion to $11.9 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expect $11.97 billion.

Darden maintained a quarterly cash dividend of $1.40 per share, payable on Feb. 3, to shareholders of record on Jan. 10.

Price: 183.41, Change: +23.54, Percent Change: +14.72