Darden Restaurants missed analyst expectations for quarterly earnings and revenue, with earnings per share at $2.05 versus $2.06 expected and revenue at $3.20 billion versus $3.21 billion expected, as same-store sales growth at its flagship Olive Garden chain slowed to 1.1%. The company's stock fell 5% in premarket trading, though LongHorn Steakhouse emerged as the portfolio's top performer with 6.2% same-store sales growth.
US stock futures declined on Thursday amid bond sell-off concerns and rising inflation fears, with the 10-year yield hitting its highest level since 2007. President Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping is the key market focus, with the US and China extending their trade truce for two months through January 10.