Darden Restaurants (DRI) Svp, CFO Rajesh Vennam Buys 5,890 Shares

Rajesh Vennam, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc., made a notable purchase of company shares recently. On June 23, 2026, Vennam acquired 5,890 shares of Darden Restaurants, which trades on the NYSE under the ticker DRI. This transaction was not part of a pre-planned trading scheme.

Insider Buying and Selling at Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Several key executives at Darden Restaurants purchased shares on the same date as Vennam. These include President and CEO Ricardo Cardenas, who bought 23,249 shares, and John Wilkerson, President of Olive Garden, who acquired 2,325 shares. Other executives such as Susan Connelly and Laura Williamson also participated in the insider buying, adding to their holdings.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:DRI traded near $209.98 on Thursday. Darden Restaurants, with a market capitalization of approximately $24.28 billion, has a P/E ratio of 22.3 and a forward P/E of 18.6. The beta of 0.587 suggests the stock is less volatile than the market. Darden's stock has ranged from a 52-week low of $169.00 to a high of $224.94. The 50-day moving average is $199.51, while the 200-day moving average is $195.85.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts continue to show strong support for Darden Restaurants. On June 24, 2026, Guggenheim maintained its buy rating with a price target of $235. Oppenheimer reiterated its buy rating on June 18, 2026, also targeting $235. Citigroup has set a higher target of $245 as of June 15, 2026, while B of A Securities has the most optimistic target at $276, as of June 5, 2026. The consensus recommendation remains a buy, with an average target price of $226.23 based on 26 analyst opinions.

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc. is a major player in the full-service restaurant industry, operating well-known brands such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company is led by CEO Ricardo Cardenas and employs nearly 198,000 people. Founded in 1938, Darden continues to expand its presence in the United States and Canada.

Bottom Line

The insider buying activity at Darden Restaurants, particularly by CFO Rajesh Vennam, reflects a potential vote of confidence in the company's prospects. Investors often keep an eye on such transactions as they can signal management's belief in the company's future. While these trades are backward-looking, they provide insights into the company's internal sentiment and potential for growth.