Dollar Tree Tops Q1 Estimates But Expects Profit to Dip Due to Tariffs

Dollar Tree (DLTR) shares fell in premarket trading Wednesday after the discount retailer warned of a hit to its current-quarter profit because of tariffs.

The company posted first-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.26 on net sales that increased 11% year-over-year to $4.64 billion. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha were expecting $1.17 and $4.53 billion, respectively.

Comparable store sales rose by 5.4%, better than the 3.78% jump analysts had forecast.

The retailer held its full-year sales outlook steady but increased its adjusted EPS forecast to $5.15 to $5.65 from the prior $5.00 to $5.50 range, reflecting the more than $500 million in stock buybacks the company has undertaken year-to-date.

Tariffs Expected to Hit Q2 Profit

For the second quarter, Dollar Tree expects comparable net sales growth “towards the higher end” of its 3% to 5% full-year forecast. However, adjusted EPS is seen down possibly 45% to 50% year-over-year as Dollar Tree works to mitigate and absorb the cost of tariffs. The company said it expects “some earnings volatility” before adjusted EPS rises in the third and fourth quarters.

Last quarter, Dollar Tree announced plans to sell its Family Dollar brand to a pair of private-equity firms for $1 billion. Dollar Tree said Wednesday the Family Dollar sale is still expected to close in the second quarter.

Dollar Tree shares were down 2% shortly following Wednesday’s report. They entered the day up 29% since the start of the year, including a 6% rise Tuesday after discount store rival Dollar General (DG) lifted its full-year guidance following strong first-quarter results.