Darden Restaurants fiscal 4Q earns climb 10 pct

[June 22, 2012]  (AP) -- Darden Restaurants says its fiscal fourth quarter earnings climbed 10 percent as sales from new restaurants helped balance a decline from established Olive Garden and Red Lobster locations.

Its earnings matched Wall Street expectations while revenue was below analysts' estimates.

Its shares fell more than 3 percent in premarket trading.

The Orlando, Fla., company says its net income rose to $151.2 million, or $1.15 per share, in the three months that ended May 27. That's up from $137.4 million, or 99 cents per share, a year ago and matched Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 4 percent to $2.07 billion. Analysts expected revenue of $2.11 billion.

Sales at locations open more than a year fell nearly 4 percent for Red Lobster and 2 percent for Olive Garden. Darden also runs LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants, and sales at those established locations climbed 3 percent.

[Associated Press]

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