Will Darden’s Predicted Sales Growth Be What These Top Institutional Shareholders Are Looking For?

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) has predicted that they will see their total sales growth for the year coming in between +6 percent and +7 percent, reflecting a combined US same-restaurant sales for the year for Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and LongHorn Steakhouse. Incremental sales are to begin in fiscal September from the acquisition of Yard House, along with the addition of nearly 105 net new restaurants during the year.

Will Darden Restaurants, Inc.’s shareholders increase their holdings? They reported owning a total of 106.29 million shares on 12/31/2012. The shares closed at $44.58 on 12/31/2012.

Here are the ten largest positions in Darden Restaurants, Inc. at the end of December 31st, 2012.

Capital Research Global Investors held 14,341,000 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $646,348,866. This brought the portfolio total to 0.31%.

Vanguard Group Inc. held 7,564,877 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $340,949,004. This brought the portfolio total to 0.04%.

State Street Corp. held 5,189,319 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $233,882,606. This brought the portfolio total to 0.03%.

Blackrock Fund Advisors held 4,253,908 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $191,723,632. This brought the portfolio total to 0.09%.

Blackrock Institutional Trust Company N.A. held 3,521,448 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $158,711,660. This brought the portfolio total to 0.04%.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. held 2,643,384 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $119,137,316. This brought the portfolio total to 0.04%.

J.P Morgan & Chase Co. held 2,349,892 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $105,909,632. This brought the portfolio total to 0.04%.

FMR LLC. held 2,143,362 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $96,601,325. This brought the portfolio total to 0.02%.

Nordea Investment Management AB held 2,142,638 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $96,568,694. This brought the portfolio total to 0.69%.

Northern Trust Corp. held 2,118,454 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $95,478,721. This brought the portfolio total to 0.04%.

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