By Connor Hart

Dollar General is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings before the market opens Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

EARNINGS: The discount retailer is expected to post a profit of $354.1 million, up from $191.2 million a year earlier, according to analysts polled by FactSet. On an adjusted basis, quarterly earnings are projected to come in at $1.66 a share.

SALES: The Goodlettsville, Tenn., company is forecast to report sales of $10.81 billion, up from the $10.3 billion it logged last year.

COMPARABLE SALES: Analysts are expecting same-store sales, which account for store openings and closings, to be up 3.5%. A year ago, comparable sales rose 1.2%.

Dollar General's stock has climbed 16% over the past three months and was recently trading hands at $145.51.

WHAT TO WATCH

--Oppenheimer analysts said Dollar General meaningfully performed expectations last year, growing sales and scooping up market share amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment. The analysts anticipate similar performance in 2026, citing several initiatives currently under way at the company including store enhancements and digital investments as being likely to drive and sustain momentum. "For the upcoming print, we expect a solid fourth-quarter delivery and in-line full-year guide in a high expectation setup," they write.

--Truist analysts similarly expect Dollar General to report solid fourth-quarter earnings. The discount retailer has won over more higher-income shoppers lately, and the trend appears to have continued during the recent quarter, the analysts said, citing internal card data. However, the data also show a slower start to the year and indicate a significant slowdown in growth from higher-income customers, especially in February. "One month doesn't make a trend, but the sizable drop in spending from the top-quartile group in February needs to be monitored," the analysts said.

--Dollar General is maintaining positive same-store visit trends as it expands its footprint, Placer.ai data shows. The location-analytics firm says in a report that the trend points to expanding category demand. Dollar General is now a staple grocery destination for many households, Placer said, citing data that show the company logged mid- to high-single-digit same-store traffic gains between September and January. "As price-conscious consumers prioritize value, overall demand for dollar stores appears to be expanding rather than simply shifting between banners," the report reads.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 11, 2026 13:14 ET (17:14 GMT)

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