BRIEF-Darden Restaurants To Acquire Ruth's Hospitality Group In $715 Million Transaction

Darden Restaurants Inc: * DARDEN RESTAURANTS TO ACQUIRE RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP IN $715 MILLION TRANSACTION

* RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP INC - PROPOSED DEAL FOR $21.50 PER SHARE * RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP INC - DARDEN HAS SUFFICIENT LIQUIDITY TO COMPLETE ALL-CASH TRANSACTION WITHOUT OBTAINING ADDITIONAL FINANCING

* RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP INC - CHERYL HENRY WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD AS PRESIDENT OF RUTH'S CHRIS AND WILL REPORT TO RICK CARDENAS. * RUTH'S HOSPITALITY - DEAL EXPECTED TO BE ACCRETIVE TO DARDEN'S NET EPS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 BY ABOUT 10 TO 12 CENTS, EX SOME EXPENSES Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: