Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.
Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Darden Restaurants's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in May. 2026 was $-108 Mil.
Darden Restaurants's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Nov. 2025 ($-236 Mil) to Feb. 2026 ($-217 Mil) and
increased
from Feb. 2026 ($-217 Mil) to May. 2026 ($-108 Mil).
Darden Restaurants's annual retained earnings
increased
from May. 2024 ($-36 Mil) to May. 2025 ($-16 Mil) but then
declined
from May. 2025 ($-16 Mil) to May. 2026 ($-108 Mil).
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
Darden Restaurants Retained Earnings Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Darden Restaurants's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
Darden Restaurants (DRI) has a Retained Earnings of $-108 Mil as of May. 2026. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Darden Restaurants and its competitors.
Is Darden Restaurants' Retained Earnings too high?
Darden Restaurants' current Retained Earnings is $-108 Mil. Overall, Darden Restaurants has a GF Score™ of 85/100 and is considered Fairly Valued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Darden Restaurants' Retained Earnings compare to YUMC and TXRH?
Darden Restaurants' Retained Earnings of $-108 Mil can be compared against companies in the Restaurants industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for a Restaurants company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Restaurants industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Darden Restaurants and its competitors. Darden Restaurants's current Retained Earnings is $-108 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Darden Restaurants stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Darden Restaurants (DRI) is currently considered Fairly Valued. The stock's GF Value™ is $210.45, compared to a current price of $208.85 — trading 0.8% below its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is $-108 Mil. Darden Restaurants' overall GF Score™ is 85/100 with 4 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Darden Restaurants (DRI), the current Retained Earnings is $-108 Mil as of May. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Darden Restaurants (DRI) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Darden Restaurants stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $208.85 is trading 0.8% below its estimated GF Value™ of $210.45.
GuruFocus considers Darden Restaurants to be Fairly Valued.
Key valuation signals for DRI:
Retained Earnings: $-108 Mil
GF Value™: $210.45 vs. price of $208.85 (0.8% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the DRI stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Darden Restaurants is the largest global full-service dining operator, with over $12 billion in system sales across 2,159 company-owned stores at the end of fiscal 2025, spanning the US and Canada. The firm operates 10 banners in four segments, including Olive Garden (43% of sales), LongHorn Steakhouse (25%), and fine dining (21%), which includes The Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, and Eddie V's. The other 11% of sales comes from smaller concepts such as Yard House and Cheddar's. Darden primarily generates revenue through sales of food and beverage items at its company-owned restaurants. It also earns royalties on sales from 154 franchised locations in US and international markets, which sit within the other segment but are immaterial to consolidated results.
85GF Score
Get the complete analysis for DRI
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
DRI has been successfully added to your 
