The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX) 

Markets reacted positively on Tuesday after discount retailer TJX revealed second-quarter sales that were above expectations.

During the quarter, the Marshalls and T.J. Maxx parent company attracted higher numbers of younger customers due to its deep discounts.

TJX also boosted its earnings and same-store sales growth guidance, sending its shares up 4.56% to $105.66 in the stock market early Tuesday.

The Framingham, Massachusetts-based retailer has survived through a period of uncertainty for major US brick and mortar retailers.

The company sells its fashion at significantly lower prices than specialty and department store regular prices. 

In addition, it has an aggressive inventory management that changes its assortments quickly, enabling shoppers to buy what they like when they see it.

TJX Earnings & Outlook

The company came out with a net income of $739.6 million, or $1.17 per share, compared with $553.0 million, or $0.85 per share in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding special items, earnings were $0.99 per share, while net sales jumped 11.6% to $9.33 billion.

Same-store sales climbed 6% during the quarter, handily surpassing Thompson Reuters estimate of 2.2%.

Marmaxx grew 7%, HomeGoods climbed 3%, TJX International increased by 4%, while TJX Canada was up 6%.

Analysts were for adjusted earnings of $1.05 per share on net sales of $8.99 billion.

Looking ahead, TJX hopes to report earnings of between $1.18 to $1.20 per share and adjusted per-share earnings in the range of $1.00 to $1.02.

TJX CEO Comments

TJX president and chief executive officer Ernie Herrman said, “We are extremely pleased with our second quarter results. Both our consolidated comp store sales growth of 6% and earnings per share of $1.17 significantly exceeded our expectations. Marmaxx, our largest division, delivered a very strong 7% comparable store sales increase. Customer traffic was once again the primary driver of our comp store sales increases at all of our divisions as we continue to reach a very wide customer demographic. Further, this marks the 16th straight quarter of customer traffic increases for TJX and Marmaxx.”