Full-service restaurant operator Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) on Monday received some further positive commentary from analysts Jefferies & Co.

The firm maintained its “Buy” rating on DRI while lifting its earnings estimate to $60. That new target suggests an 18% upside to the stock’s Friday closing price of $50.92.

Jefferies also boosted its earnings estimates for the company through 2013, noting its Olive Garden franchise appears to be turning a corner.

Darden Restaurants shares were unchanged in premarket trading Monday.

The Bottom Line
Shares of Darden Restaurants (DRI) have a 3.38% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $50.92. The stock has technical support in the $46-$48 price area. The stock is trading near all-time highs of $54 a share.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.