New York, February 11, 2026, 11:29 (EST) — Regular session
Darden Restaurants shares slipped Wednesday after a fresh ownership filing revealed a major institutional player re-entered the picture. The Olive Garden parent traded roughly 0.3% lower, hitting $209.59 by late morning.
Big-holder filings don’t necessarily shift a stock by themselves, but they do influence how investors read the short-term outlook — identifying buyers, holders, and potential sellers. Darden has stayed a reliable pick for many managers, though its trading has been volatile this month.
Timing is key as Darden approaches its upcoming earnings report, with consumer spending remaining the main variable for many restaurant chains. Investors are closely tracking foot traffic and menu price changes, particularly for value-focused brands.
A Schedule 13G filing dated Feb. 10 revealed Wellington Management Group and related entities hold about 8.08 million shares of Darden, representing roughly 7% of the company’s common stock as of Dec. 31. Schedule 13G filings typically indicate non-control positions. (SEC)
On the same day, a separate Form 3 revealed that Lindsay L. Koren, Darden’s senior vice president and general counsel, reported direct ownership of 1,912.795 shares, plus restricted stock units and stock options. Form 3 is an initial filing insiders must submit once they fall under the SEC’s reporting requirements. (SEC)
The stock is attempting to stabilize following a steep drop the previous day. Darden ended Tuesday down 3.56%, closing at $210.24 after starting the session at $215.08, per market data. (Investing)
Restaurant stocks followed the dip in the broader consumer discretionary sector, which saw declines on Wednesday. By late morning, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund had slipped roughly 0.6%.
Company news made waves too. On Feb. 3, Darden announced it will shut down 14 Bahama Breeze restaurants for good. The other 14 spots will be rebranded under a different Darden name within the next 12 to 18 months. These closures are slated to wrap up by April 5. (Darden Investors)
The last solid data point for investors is Darden’s fiscal second-quarter report from December, showing total sales up 7.3% to $3.1 billion, with blended same-restaurant sales climbing 4.3%. CEO Rick Cardenas described the quarter as “strong” but flagged ongoing commodity challenges, noting beef prices remain high. (Darden Investors)
However, a few things could trip this up. The 13G stake reflects only Wellington’s position at year-end, not what they hold right now. Plus, restaurant demand can shift fast if budgets shrink or discounting heats up across the sector.
Darden’s fiscal third-quarter earnings come out March 19, marking the next key event. Investors will focus on traffic figures, margins, and any early insights into the impact of Bahama Breeze closures and conversions. (Investing)
