— Department store operator Dollar General (NYSE: DG) reported net income was $365.6 million or $1.42 per share for the third quarter of 2019, compared to $334.1 million or $1.26 per share last year. Analysts expected earnings of $1.38 per share.
— Net sales increased 8.9% to $7 billion from to $6.4 billion in the third quarter of 2018, vs. $6.92 billion expected
— Same-store sales increased 4.6% during the period, driven by increases in average transaction amount and customer traffic
— Returned $482 million to shareholders through share repurchases and cash dividends
— Declared Q4 cash dividend of $0.32 per share; raised share repurchase program authorization by $1.0 Billion
— Expects net sales growth in the low 8% range for fiscal 2019, which is broadly unchanged from the previous outlook
— Expects full-year same-store sales growth to be in the mid-to-high 3% range, compared to earlier guidance in the low-to-mid 3% range
— Expects EPS in the range of $6.46 to $6.56 for 2019, up from the previous outlook range of $6.36 to $6.51
— Forecasts adjusted EPS, excluding the after-tax impact of the Significant Legal Expenses, in the range of $6.55 to $6.65 for 2019
— Plans to execute nearly 2,600 real estate projects, including 1,000 new store openings, 1,500 mature store remodels, and 80 store relocations, in fiscal 2020