Dollar General reports strong same-store sales

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General’s light revenue during the fiscal fourth quarter was outshined by booming sales at established stores and a very strong outlook.

The 3.3 percent jump in same-store sales reported on Thursday easily surpassed expectations for 2.5 percent, according to FactSet.

Per-share profit expectations for the year, of $5.95 to $6.15, is also a surprise. Wall Street had been projecting profits of only $4.49, according to FactSet.

Shares jumped more than 8 percent before the opening bell Thursday.

Quarterly same-store sales were fueled by heathier spending per transaction by shoppers, according to Dollar General Corp.

For the year, the company reported profit of $1.54 billion, or $5.63 per share. Revenue was reported as $23.47 billion.