DRI Form 144: Minor $1.06M Insider Sale via Option Exercise

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) – Form 144 filing

An insider has filed notice of a proposed sale of 4,735 common shares, equal to roughly 0.004 % of the 117.0 million shares outstanding. The shares were acquired and are scheduled for sale on 06/24/2025 following the exercise of employee stock options. The transaction, routed through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, carries an aggregate market value of about $1.06 million (≈ $224 per share) and is expected to take place on the NYSE.

This is a routine Rule 144 notice that enables the insider to resell shares into the open market. The filer affirms knowledge of no undisclosed adverse information. Given the modest size relative to daily trading volume and total float, the filing is considered immaterial to Darden’s capital structure and valuation.

Positive

• Fully compliant Rule 144 disclosure enhances transparency for investors.
• Sale size is immaterial (0.004 % of float), limiting any dilution or price pressure risk.

Negative

• Insider selling, even if small, can be perceived as a lack-of-confidence signal by some investors.

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Small, routine insider sale; negligible governance or valuation impact.

The Form 144 covers a proposed sale worth about $1.1 million, stemming from option exercise under a registered plan. At 0.004 % of outstanding shares, the trade is far below materiality thresholds and unlikely to move DRI’s share price or signal strategic shifts. Proper Rule 144 disclosure and use of a major broker suggest compliance and transparency. Investors typically view sales of this size as portfolio diversification rather than negative commentary on the company. I therefore assign a neutral impact rating.

Form 144 Filer Information	UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 144 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FORM 144

144: Filer Information

Filer CIK
Filer CCC
Is this a LIVE or TEST Filing?	LIVE TEST
Submission Contact Information
Name
Phone
E-Mail Address

144: Issuer Information

Name of Issuer

SEC File Number

Address of Issuer

Phone

Name of Person for Whose Account the Securities are To Be Sold

See the definition of "person" in paragraph (a) of Rule 144. Information is to be given not only as to the person for whose account the securities are to be sold but also as to all other persons included in that definition. In addition, information shall be given as to sales by all persons whose sales are required by paragraph (e) of Rule 144 to be aggregated with sales for the account of the person filing this notice.

Relationship to Issuer

144: Securities Information

Title of the Class of Securities To Be Sold	Name and Address of the Broker	Number of Shares or Other Units To Be Sold	Aggregate Market Value	Number of Shares or Other Units Outstanding	Approximate Date of Sale	Name the Securities Exchange
Common	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Executive Financial Services 1 New York Plaza 8th Floor New York NY 10004	4735	1059585.52	117026246	06/24/2025	NYSE

Furnish the following information with respect to the acquisition of the securities to be sold and with respect to the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or other consideration therefor:

144: Securities To Be Sold

Title of the Class	Date you Acquired	Nature of Acquisition Transaction	Name of Person from Whom Acquired	Is this a Gift?	Date Donor Acquired	Amount of Securities Acquired	Date of Payment	Nature of Payment *
Common	06/24/2025	Exercise of options under a registered plan	Issuer			4735	06/24/2025	Cash

* If the securities were purchased and full payment therefor was not made in cash at the time of purchase, explain in the table or in a note thereto the nature of the consideration given. If the consideration consisted of any note or other obligation, or if payment was made in installments describe the arrangement and state when the note or other obligation was discharged in full or the last installment paid.

Furnish the following information as to all securities of the issuer sold during the past 3 months by the person for whose account the securities are to be sold.

144: Securities Sold During The Past 3 Months

Nothing to Report

144: Remarks and Signature

Remarks

Date of Notice

ATTENTION:

The person for whose account the securities to which this notice relates are to be sold hereby represents by signing this notice that he does not know any material adverse information in regard to the current and prospective operations of the Issuer of the securities to be sold which has not been publicly disclosed. If such person has adopted a written trading plan or given trading instructions to satisfy Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, by signing the form and indicating the date that the plan was adopted or the instruction given, that person makes such representation as of the plan adoption or instruction date.

Signature

ATTENTION: Intentional misstatements or omission of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001)

FAQ

How many Darden Restaurants (DRI) shares are being sold under this Form 144?

4,735 common shares are proposed for sale.

What is the total market value of the shares covered by DRI’s Form 144?

The aggregate value is approximately $1.06 million.

When are the DRI shares expected to be sold?

The approximate sale date disclosed is 06/24/2025.

How were the shares acquired before the Form 144 filing?

They were obtained via exercise of stock options under a registered plan on the same date.

Does this filing indicate new dilution for DRI shareholders?

No. The shares already exist; the filing only notifies of a resale by an insider.