BUZZ - Darden Restaurants Group shares fall as quarterly results miss expectations

September 24 - ** Darden Restaurants Group (DRI.N) shares fell 5% in premarket trading to $203.75

** Darden Restaurants Group, the parent company of Olive Garden, reported first-quarter sales and profit that were slightly below market expectations (link), as budget-conscious diners cut back on restaurant spending and prioritized value-driven choices

** First-quarter sales were $3.20 billion, below the expected $3.21 billion—data compiled by LSEG

** The report showed quarterly adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.05, compared with the expected $2.06

** DRI reaffirmed its full-year guidance for earnings per share and same-store sales growth

** As of the previous trading session close, the stock was up about 16% year-to-date

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