Is Darden Restaurants Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI), headquartered in Orlando, Florida, stands as a prominent operator of multi-brand casual and upscale dining establishments throughout North America. The company oversees well-known chains such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille, delivering diverse Italian, steakhouse, and fine-dining options to millions of patrons each year. The company has a market capitalization of $20.83 billion, which classifies it as a “large-cap” stock. 

Darden’s stock had reached a 52-week high of $228.27 in June, but is down 19.7% from that level. The company has faced pressure from elevated beef costs and a missed bottom-line estimate. Over the past three months, the stock has dropped 14.1%. On the other hand, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 4.8% over the same period.