Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI)

Management did do a nice job getting through a difficult quarter to manage across several fronts.

Thursday almost surely promises to be a headline-driven trading session, after a Wednesday's cautious trading behavior.

Let's look at the charts and indicators.

After a surprisingly solid year for the sector in 2021, a lot of restaurant names are seeing their shares sag amid rising food costs and a shortage of help.

Let's check out the charts of Brinker International, Bloomin' Brands and Darden Restaurants to see how to play their shares.

Many restaurant stocks performed well in 2021 despite rising costs and labor issues, but this year could be more challenging.

Let's review the charts and indicators.

McDonald's decision to raise its dividend is an indicator of the sector's comeback from the pandemic, but higher labor and food costs are a concern.

It was as if markets heard what they wanted to hear, when it was actually much more simple: markets heard exactly what they had anticipated.

CAKE is the most mall-dependent of all restaurant stocks, according to a recent report.

Yet for now, most restaurant stocks are enjoying solid years even as many contend with labor shortages and higher prices for products such as beef.

This market is moving in so many areas that you have to marvel at how it's even possible -- even if the Russell Rebalancing could change all that on Friday.

Even companies that haven't performed particularly well on an operating basis are registering fat stock gains so far in 2021.

As places like Cracker Barrel defrost dividends that were paused during the pandemic, we're looking at the menu to see what looks tasty.

TGT and DRI are two examples of companies that offloaded major divisions to make things better.

With vaccination levels rising and COVID-19 restrictions continuing to ease, these companies are poised to benefit.

Let's look at the charts and technical menu of CAKE.

I would argue that the pandemic has lasted just long enough to wipe out the little guy and let the bigger guys have the run of the joint.

Get used to 'hybrid' living -- a mix of stay-at-home and free-world life. So, invest accordingly.

Let's see how recent dividend news from Darden Restaurants could signal more good dividend news is ahead.

I wish I bought these shares on the Wednesday dip. I did not. Now, plan B.

Plus, there are reasons to have serious reservations about an International Monetary Fund "aid plan" allegedly to poor countries.

On the Olive Garden owner's menu is a bearish engulfing pattern.

We are nearing the home stretch for the first quarter, so here's what's on tap.

A company that consistently increases its quarterly dividends tends to see a step-like move higher in its share price. For me, that's DPZ.

Welcome to the world of the bull market, 2021-style, as Tesla and others just keep going higher.

Plus, Coinbase files for an eventual initial public offering that should draw a ton of interest.