Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. The company's consumable products also comprise snacks, such as candies, cookies, crackers, salty snacks, and carbonated beverages; health and beauty products, including over-the-counter medicines and personal care products, such as soaps, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics, and dental hygiene and foot care products; pet supplies and pet food; and tobacco products. In addition, it offers seasonal products comprising holiday items, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, and automotive and home office supplies; and home products that include kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies and kitchen, and bed and bath soft goods. Further, the company provides apparel, which comprise basic items for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women, and men, as well as socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. The company was formerly known as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc. and changed its name to Dollar General Corporation in 1968. Dollar General Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

Dollar General выглядит как зрелый ритейлер с сильной операционной рентабельностью, но с заметными ограничениями по качеству баланса и ликвидности. P/E на уровне 15.5 и P/S 0.57 выглядят умеренно низкими относительно отрасли, что поддерживает идею недооценки, однако P/B 2.96 выше медианы, а это намекает, что рынок уже платит за устойчивость капитала и прибыльность. Особенно сильным аргументом в пользу оценки остаются ROE 18.7%, ROI 11.3% и return on tangible equity 55.8% — все они выше отраслевых ориентиров и при этом демонстрируют улучшение по сравнению с прошлым годом. Выручка, валовая прибыль, операционная прибыль и чистая прибыль в целом растут по годам, что подтверждает устойчивость бизнеса и способность удерживать масштаб. При этом маржинальность всё ещё заметно ниже медианы отрасли по net margin и operating margin, а gross margin лишь немного ниже, поэтому качество прибыли нельзя назвать выдающимся для сектора. Самый слабый блок — ликвидность: quick ratio 0.23 очень низкий, current ratio 1.14 тоже ниже отрасли, что повышает чувствительность к оборотному капиталу и краткосрочным шокам. Долговая нагрузка умеренная и выглядит лучше, чем год назад: debt/equity 0.54 и снижение long-term debt поддерживают финансовую устойчивость, хотя показатель всё ещё не идеален. Денежный поток оценивается неплохо по P/FCF 10.0, что говорит о приемлемой цене за генерируемый кэш, но отсутствие дивидендной доходности сейчас убирает один из защитных факторов для инвестора. В динамике мультипликаторы в целом снизились по сравнению с более ранними периодами, что обычно отражает либо улучшение прибыли, либо охлаждение ожиданий рынка; для DG это скорее умеренно позитивно. Однако сочетание слабой ликвидности, более высокой оценки по балансовой стоимости и давления на маржи не позволяет агрессивно повышать справедливую оценку. В итоге фундаментал остаётся конструктивным, но сдержанным: бизнес качественный и прибыльный, однако баланс и маржинальность требуют осторожности, поэтому целевой ориентир стоит немного скорректировать вниз.

Dollar General Corporation

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, flat. The bulls are confused.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Медведи в растерянности.

Strong index, flat. The bears are confused.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, flat. The market is on the bulls' side.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает медведей.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bears.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Strong index, slightly down. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

Сильный индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из шортов на высоком уровне.

Strong index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from shorts at a high level.

DG выглядит прибыльным и недооценённым по прибыли/кэшу, но слабая ликвидность, давление на маржи и дорогой P/B ограничивают потенциал переоценки.

The TJX Companies, Inc. TJX recently reached a new 52-week high, a notable milestone that has grabbed investors' attention. The company's solid execution, resilient off-price business model and expansion initiatives have fueled the stock's strong performance, leaving investors wondering whether it is still worth buying.
In the past year, TJX stock has surged 35.8%, outpacing the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry, the broader Retail and Wholesale sector and the S&P 500, which have gained 15.1%, 5.4% and 25.1%, respectively.
TJX Price Performance vs. Industry, S&P 500 & Sector
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The TJX Companies has also outperformed its key competitors, such as Target Corporation TGT, Dollar Tree, Inc. DLTR and Dollar General Corporation DG. Over the past year, Target, Dollar Tree and Dollar General posted gains of 33.6%, 19.6% and 2.3%, respectively.
Technical indicators also point to continued strength. TJX currently trades above both 50 and 200-day moving averages, signaling sustained upward momentum and reinforcing investors' confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
TJX’s Off-Price Strength and Expansion Strategy Support Growth
TJX’s off-price retail model continues to be a key competitive advantage, enabling it to attract consumers across income groups through a combination of branded merchandise, attractive pricing and a treasure-hunt shopping experience. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, comparable sales increased 6%, driven by both higher customer transactions and larger basket sizes. Management noted that all divisions delivered transaction growth, highlighting the broad appeal and resilience of the company’s value-focused business model.
The company is also benefiting from exceptional merchandise availability and its extensive global sourcing network. With more than 1,400 buyers and strong vendor relationships, TJX remains well-positioned to secure quality branded products at attractive prices. Management emphasized that merchandise availability remains outstanding, allowing the retailer to maintain fresh assortments, respond quickly to consumer trends and capitalize on buying opportunities that support both sales growth and margin expansion.
TJX’s growth strategy extends beyond merchandising strength, supported by continued store expansion and market-share gains. The company ended the fiscal first quarter with 5,262 stores worldwide after adding 48 net new locations. Management remains optimistic about expansion opportunities across Europe and Australia while pursuing growth initiatives in newer markets such as Spain and Mexico. The retailer believes it still has a substantial runway to increase global footprint and deepen presence across key markets.
TJX’s operational flexibility remains a major competitive advantage. Its fast-turning inventory model allows the company to quickly capitalize on emerging trends, adjust merchandise assortments and pursue high-demand categories. This agility supports strong customer traffic, healthy merchandise margins and continued market-share gains, while helping TJX maintain a fresh and compelling shopping experience that encourages repeat visits across its retail banners.
How Are Estimates Stacking Up for TJX?
Reflecting the positive sentiment around TJX, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has seen upward revisions. Over the past seven days, earnings per share estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have increased 2 cents and 1 cent to $5.17 and $5.67, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How Does TJX’s Valuation Look?
TJX is currently trading at a slight discount to its industry benchmarks. The company’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 31.55X is slightly lower than the industry average of 31.92X. Among peers, Target, Dollar Tree and Dollar General trade at significantly lower valuations, with forward P/E multiples of 15.52X, 15.89X and 15.18X, respectively.
TJX P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The TJX Companies Navigates Key Challenges Ahead
TJX operates in a highly competitive retail environment, where maintaining its value proposition may require continued investments in pricing, marketing and store operations. While the company has successfully gained market share through its off-price model, competition from both traditional retailers and e-commerce players remains intense. In addition, cost inflation across labor, sourcing and logistics could pressure profitability and limit future margin expansion.
The retailer is also exposed to macroeconomic and international risks due to its extensive global footprint. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, evolving trade policies and tariff-related uncertainties could affect profitability and sourcing costs. While management remains confident in the resilience of the off-price model, changes in consumer spending patterns, economic slowdowns in key markets and persistent cost inflation could pressure future results and moderate earnings growth.
TJX’s Investment Analysis
TJX’s recent 52-week high reflects the strength of its off-price business model, consistent execution and ability to gain market share in a challenging retail environment. The company continues to benefit from strong customer traffic, strong merchandise availability and significant expansion opportunities across global markets. While higher costs, foreign exchange fluctuations and macroeconomic uncertainties remain risks, TJX’s solid fundamentals and positive earnings outlook support its long-term growth story. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), the stock remains a compelling choice for investors seeking steady growth and resilience in the retail sector.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The TJX Companies Hits 52-Week High: Is the Stock Still Worth Buying?

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd Co (Symbol: WTW) has taken over the #340 spot from Dollar General Corp (Symbol: DG), according to The Online Investor.
Market capitalization is an important data point for investors to keep an eye on, for various reasons. The most basic reason is that it gives a true comparison of the value attributed by the stock market to a given company's stock. Many beginning investors look at one stock trading at $10 and another trading at $20 and mistakenly think the latter company is worth twice as much — that of course is a completely meaningless comparison without knowing how many shares of each company exist. But comparing market capitalization (factoring in those share counts) creates a true "apples-to-apples" comparison of the value of two stocks. In the case of Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd Co (Symbol: WTW), the market cap is now $24.93 billion, versus Dollar General Corp (Symbol: DG) at $24.26 billion.
Below is a chart of Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd Co versus Dollar General Corp plotting their respective size rank within the S&P 500 over time (WTW plotted in blue; DG plotted in green):
Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of WTW vs. DG:
Another reason market capitalization is important is where it places a company in terms of its size tier in relation to peers — much like the way a mid-size sedan is typically compared to other mid-size sedans (and not SUV's). This can have a direct impact on which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to own the stock. For instance, a mutual fund that is focused solely on Large Cap stocks may for example only be interested in those companies sized $10 billion or larger. Another illustrative example is the S&P MidCap index which essentially takes the S&P 500 index and "tosses out" the biggest 100 companies so as to focus solely on the 400 smaller "up-and-comers" (which in the right environment can outperform their larger rivals). So a company's market cap, especially in relation to other companies, carries great importance, and for this reason we at The Online Investor find value to putting together these rankings daily.
Examine the full WTW market cap history vs. the full DG market cap history.
At the closing bell, WTW is down about 1.2%, while DG is up about 4.2% on the day Thursday.
Further WTW Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Willis Towers Watson Public Moves Up In Market Cap Rank, Passing Dollar General

Key Points
Despite the concerning economic backdrop in place at the time, Dollar General’s first-quarter results were surprisingly healthy.
The company’s guidance, however, superficially suggests the remainder of the year will be relatively disappointing.
Although it's not a core holding for growth portfolios, there’s a case to be made for owning this stock right now to round out any missing pieces in a value portfolio.
Given the stock's 30% pullback since late February, it would be easy to presume Dollar General's (NYSE: DG) core customers are struggling under the weight of inflation. Indeed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the annualized pace of consumer prices grew to 4.2% in May, largely thanks to the soaring cost of food and gasoline.
Yet, the discount retailer is doing surprisingly well, reporting respectable same-store sales growth of 2% for the three months ending in early May and companywide revenue growth of 3.4% year over year. Earnings grew even more thanks to curbed inventory costs, and the company's calling for even faster top- and bottom-line growth than for the full fiscal year.
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What gives?
Not yesteryear's Dollar General
Part of the answer lies in the fact that the company's full-year guidance actually suggests slowing sales growth ahead. Perhaps worse, investors may fear inflation hasn't yet actually affected Dollar General's results but could do so soon.
And these aren't unreasonable concerns. While middle-income consumers are increasingly shopping with Walmart to make their money go farther, there's been no real trade-down option for Dollar General's core demographic.
This is not the Dollar General of 2021 and 2022, though, when steep, unexpected inflation first surfaced that Dollar General wasn't ready for. It's ready now.
Take where most of the retailer's first-quarter sales growth came from as evidence. As it turns out, households earning at least $100,000 per year are becoming more regular patrons, accounting for the biggest piece of last quarter's 1.4% increase in total foot traffic. Gross profits also improved more than 60 basis points in Q1, suggesting the company is enjoying a combination of greater pricing power and lower merchandise costs. During the conference call for first-quarter earnings, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos even touted the draw of a selection of over 2,000 items priced at $1 or less.
This is largely what was missing as Dollar General emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.
To buy or not to buy?
It's not necessarily a slam dunk you absolutely must immediately buy. Even if the retailer has quietly reinvented itself, clearly the market doesn't see it or believe it yet. More investors need to get on board if the stock's going to start recovering anytime soon.
For what it's worth, though, the analyst community seems optimistic, suggesting this stock's worth $130.61 per share versus the ticker's current price of less than $109.
It's also worth acknowledging that Dollar General's seemingly tepid guidance may represent the worst-case scenario, setting the stage for earnings and revenue beats in the year ahead. The company's been racking those up since its regrouping effort was finalized early last year.
Bottom line? It's still not a great core holding, simply because its net growth potential remains modest no matter how well it performs -- never mind the lack of certainty that last quarter's results are an indication of how the rest of the year will turn out. If you've got room in your portfolio for a value name that's underpriced because it's currently underestimated, though, there's a case to be made for stepping into this one.
Should you buy stock in Dollar General right now?
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Dollar General Sales Are Soaring. Is the Discount Retailer's Stock a Buy in 2026?

Dollar General Corporation’s DG first-quarter fiscal 2026 same-store sales growth suggests that the company has multiple drivers supporting its performance for the rest of the year. Same-store sales increased 2% in the quarter, driven by 1.4% growth in customer traffic and a 0.5% rise in the average transaction amount. Traffic-led comps generally indicate that customers are visiting more often, rather than growth being driven only by higher prices or larger baskets.
Dollar General said all four merchandising categories delivered positive comparable sales for the fifth straight quarter, with non-consumables again outpacing consumables. That balance is important because it shows the company is not relying solely on essential categories to drive comps.
Management also pointed to consistency within the quarter. All three periods were positive, with March helped by the Easter shift. The company said the business recovered after severe winter weather hurt the first two weeks of the quarter in February, with the remaining 11 weeks running near the upper end of its range. Trends also continued as May began.
For fiscal 2026, Dollar General continues to expect same-store sales growth of 2.2% to 2.7%. After a 2% first-quarter comp despite weather disruption, the latest update suggests that the company’s value and convenience proposition is still drawing repeat visits and providing a firmer base for same-store sales growth.
How Dollar General Compares With Walmart and Target
Walmart Inc. WMT posted U.S. comparable sales growth of 4.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, driven by higher customer transactions, increased unit volumes and strong e-commerce performance. Walmart continued to gain market share across income groups while benefiting from growth in advertising, marketplace sales and Walmart+ membership revenues. Walmart’s results reflected steady demand for both grocery and general merchandise offerings.
Meanwhile, Target Corporation TGT delivered comparable sales growth of 5.6%, supported by a 4.4% increase in traffic and strength across both stores and digital channels. Target reported sales growth in all six core merchandise categories, with broad-based demand across guest demographics. Target also highlighted momentum in beauty, food and wellness categories. As Target executes its merchandising and store experience initiatives, the retailer remains focused on driving sustainable long-term growth.
What the Latest Metrics Say About Dollar General
Dollar General has seen its shares tumble 26.8% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 1.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Dollar General's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 14.19, lower than the industry’s ratio of 31.30. However, it is trading below its 12-month median level of 17.52.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar General’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 3.9% and 6.7%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 3.9% rise in sales and 8.7% growth in earnings.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Dollar General currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Dollar General's Same-Store Sales Strength Suggests More Growth Ahead

Turnaround Stories and Shorting Stocks

Key Points
Realty Income's high occupancy rates and established client base can continue to support its monthly dividend.
J.M. Smucker's coffee business should continue to support its growth despite concerns about its other products.
PepsiCo has listened to its customers, sparking a return to growth that has reinvigorated its business.
Dividend stocks, particularly those that consistently hike their dividend, tend to maintain reliable growth over decades under a variety of economic conditions. While they are rarely the fastest-growing stocks in terms of stock price appreciation, their consistency and rising dividends make them popular with income-oriented investors.
Today, dividend stocks in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) offer an average dividend yield of 1%. While that may compare poorly to bank CDs, which sometimes offer rates above 4%, many of these stocks have dividend yields that match such rates. When also considering dividend growth and the likelihood of long-term stock price appreciation, these high-yield dividend stocks could last a lifetime while paying shareholders.
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1. Realty Income
When it comes to income generation, it is hard to argue against owning the monthly dividend company, Realty Income (NYSE: O), which owns more than 15,500 single-tenant, net leased properties.
Indeed, the prospect of rising interest rates may have discouraged investors, but Realty Income shows it can succeed under such circumstances. Moreover, it boasts a client base that includes Walmart, FedEx, and Dollar General. Having such clients has further stabilized the property and helped its occupancy rise to nearly 99%.
At today's share prices, its annual dividend of $3.25 per share yields 5.4%. That dividend has risen at least one time annually since its inception in 1994, delivering decades of passive income.
Also, it earned $4.26 per share in FFO income over the trailing 12 months, a measure of a REIT's free cash flow. Thus, the company should have no trouble covering its dividend and continuing the payout hikes.
Additionally, investors should avoid the pitfall of looking at its P/E ratio of 49 and assuming it is expensive. The $4.26 per share in FFO income is the critical measure. Thus, when calculating a price-to-FFO ratio, the stock trades at just 14 times FFO.
Under such conditions, investors can buy the stock now and collect a generous dividend while they wait for an improved stock performance.
2. J.M. Smucker
Investors may think of J.M. Smucker (NYSE: SJM) as a jelly company because of its flagship brand, Smucker's. Nonetheless, Smucker is a diversified packaged goods company that also derives revenue from brands like Hostess, Milk-Bone, and coffee brands like Folger's, Cafe Bustelo, and the grocery market for Dunkin'.
Admittedly, the stock has suffered as packaged good companies have struggled in an environment where consumers have gravitated toward fresh and organic foods. This occurred at the same time as commodity prices rose, compressing margins.
However, coffee remains a strong product category that helps boost its revenue. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Jan. 31), sales rose by 7%. Also, it reported only a net loss due to goodwill and impairment charges, which are usually one-time events.
Furthermore, declines in the stock price have taken its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio to 1.2, well below the average of 1.6. Amid that low valuation, its annual dividend of $4.40 per share yields 4.4%. Since its $971 million in free cash flow was well above the $462 million dividend cost over the same period, that probably means its 29-year track record of payout hikes is on track to continue.
Finally, once J.M. Smucker moves past the aforementioned impairment charges, profitability should return. With the strength of the coffee market and the high-yielding, rising dividend, J.M. Smucker should again stand as a strong, under-the-radar dividend stock.
3. PepsiCo
Like Smucker, PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) has struggled as a packaged goods company. Besides Pepsi, Tropicana, and Mountain Dew, company-owned brands include Lay's potato chips and Quaker Oats.
Fortunately, amid the challenges, PepsiCo has listened to consumers. To that end, it has changed the ingredients of some of its products and acquired more health-oriented brands such as Poppi.
The latest earnings report showed signs of progress, with sales rising 8% year over year in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended March 21). That led to a 27% rise in net income.
Also, while the stock showed 8% growth for the year, it is trading at a near 30% discount to its five-year high. Consequently, its 22 P/E ratio is below the five-year average of 27.
That situation has made PepsiCo's dividend particularly attractive. At $5.92 per share annually, its dividend now yields 4%. Additionally, the $9.3 billion in free cash flow over the trailing 12 months covered the $7.7 billion in dividend costs. Given that the dividend has risen for 54 consecutive years, the increases are likely to continue.
Ultimately, considering the rising payout and the rebound in sales growth, PepsiCo again looks to be on track for success.
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Will Healy has positions in Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends J.M. Smucker, Realty Income, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends FedEx. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Shares of Dollar General Corporation (DG) declined 3.3% after the company reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $10.79 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.82 billion.
Signet Jewelers Limited’s (SIG) shares gained 3.8% after the company reported first-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.56 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32 per share.
Shares of Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) jumped 4.7% after the company reported first-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.06 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05 per share.
STMicroelectronics N.V.’s (STM) shares soared 15.22% after the company upwardly revised its revenue forecast for data centers to nearly $100 million for 2026.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Company News for Jun 3, 2026

Dollar General Corporation DG used its first-quarter 2026earnings callto make a forward-looking case centered less on the headline beat and more on execution. Management stressed that traffic growth, margin expansion and tighter inventory control offset weather disruptions and higher fuel costs.
That message mattered because the company also raised its full-year earnings outlook, while using the call to argue that its value positioning, delivery buildout and remodel program are gaining traction in a pressured consumer environment.
Dollar General Sees Pressure Drive Traffic
Chief executive officer Todd Vasos said the quarter showed Dollar General’s ability to serve a more financially constrained shopper while also pulling in higher-income trade-in customers. He highlighted same-store sales growth of 2.0%, driven by a 1.4% increase in traffic and a 0.5% rise in average ticket.
Vasos said all four merchandising categories posted positive comparable sales for the fifth straight quarter, with non-consumables again outpacing consumables. He also said March benefited from the Easter shift, while February was hurt by winter storms and temporary store closures.
A notable call theme was trade-in behavior. Vasos said customer penetration rose across income groups, with the biggest increase coming from households earning more than $100,000, while core lower-income shoppers remained under pressure from fuel prices and reduced SNAP benefits.
DG Leans on Margin and Inventory Gains
Chief financial officer Donny Lau framed the quarter as proof that multiple margin initiatives are working at once. Gross margin rose 65 basis points to 31.6%, helped by higher markups, lower shrink and lower inventory damages, partly offset by higher markdowns and transportation costs. Operating margin expanded 40 basis points to 5.9%.
Lau said shrink mitigation remained a major contributor, with shrink improving 28 basis points from a year earlier, even against a tougher comparison. He also pointed to better in-store execution on damages and supply chain productivity as support for the company’s longer-term margin framework.
The financial backdrop was solid enough to support an earnings beat despite a revenue miss. DG reported earnings per share of $2.00, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.89 by 6.06%. Revenues of $10.79 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.82 billion by 0.33%. Merchandise inventories were essentially flat year over year at $6.6 billion and down 1.6% on a per-store basis.
Dollar General Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Dollar General Raises 2026 View
Management raised full-year 2026 earnings guidance to $7.20 to $7.45 from $7.10 to $7.35. Lau said the higher range reflects first-quarter outperformance, the balance-year outlook and a lower expected tax rate of about 24.5%.
The company now expects net sales growth of 3.7% to 4.2% and same-store sales growth of 2.2% to 2.7%. Capital spending guidance remained unchanged at $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, and the outlook still assumes no share repurchases this year.
Lau also said the guidance excludes any effect from potential tariff refund payments. He acknowledged continued uncertainty around consumer behavior and elevated fuel costs, but said management still sees more gross-margin tailwinds than headwinds over the rest of the year.
DG Builds Around Delivery and Remodels
Beyond the quarter, management used the call to emphasize initiatives designed to widen the company’s convenience advantage. Chief operating officer Emily Taylor said delivery sales contributed about 70 basis points to comparable-sales growth in the quarter, with larger baskets and strong repeat usage supporting the economics.
Vasos said the company is now delivering from about 18,000 stores through myDG and third-party partners. Taylor added that most orders reached customers in an hour or less, which management sees as a differentiated proposition in rural markets.
Store refreshes were another focal point. Dollar General completed 659 Project Renovate remodels and 711 Project Elevate remodels in the quarter, while maintaining its target for 2,000 Renovate and 2,250 Elevate projects for the year. Management continues to target roughly 6% annualized comparative sales lift from Renovate and 3% from Elevate.
Dollar General Defends Promotions in Q&A
Analyst questions focused heavily on the durability of traffic gains and whether a more promotional retail backdrop could pressure profitability. Vasos told analysts from UBS and Barclays that the company’s added promotions were planned, targeted and proactive rather than reactive, with an emphasis on supporting the core customer and retaining newer trade-in shoppers.
Management also pushed back on the idea that sharper pricing activity signals weakening fundamentals. Vasos argued that Dollar General already holds a strong everyday value position and said the $1 price point, including Value Valley, remains central to both customer acquisition and basket-building behavior. He said Value Valley comparable sales rose 18.4% in the quarter.
Questions from Bernstein and Piper Sandler pressed on margin durability as shrink comparisons get harder and fuel stays high. Lau said the company expects continued, though more modest, gross-margin improvement through the year, supported by shrink, damages, media network growth, category management and supply-chain efficiencies.
DG Leaves the Call With a Clear Playbook
The overall tone of the call was confident but measured. Management repeatedly tied the quarter’s performance to controllable execution rather than a friendlier backdrop, emphasizing value, convenience and operational discipline as the core levers for the rest of 2026.
Just as important, executives used the Q&A to reinforce that the company sees room to grow sales, traffic and margins at the same time, even with macro pressure still evident across its customer base.
Zacks Signals Point to Mixed Near-Term Traits
DG carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), along with a Value Score of A, Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of A. Under Zacks methodology, a stronger Style Score can help identify attractive value and growth characteristics, while the weak Momentum Score points to less favorable price-trend support.
A Zacks Rank #3 does not carry the same favorable setup as a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), even when Style Scores are strong. The combination suggests balanced fundamental traits but a less decisive near-term signal, and that rank can still change as earnings estimate revisions adjust after the quarter.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Dollar General Q1 Earnings Call Highlights Traffic, Margin Discipline

Key Points
Realty Income is required to return 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Realty Income has averaged around a 4.4% dividend yield over the past decade.
Procter & Gamble has increased its annual dividend for 70 consecutive years.
There's a lot of pride that comes with working hard for your money, but the ultimate goal should always be to make money in your sleep. There are many forms of passive income, but the easiest form for most people is through dividends. All it takes is purchasing shares of dividend-paying stock, regardless of the size of the purchase.
If you're looking for two stocks that can provide a lifetime of passive income, the following two options are great choices. They both approach dividends differently, but have a track record of being shareholder-friendly and prioritizing dividend payouts.
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1. Realty Income
Realty Income (NYSE: O) isn't your typical company; it's a real estate investment trust, better known as a REIT. A REIT is a company that owns and operates income-producing real estate, ranging from office to residential to hospitality to healthcare to data centers, and more.
Realty Income owned 15,571 properties at the end of the first quarter (Q1), with most leased to grocery stores (11% of its collected rent), convenience stores (9.4%), and home improvement stores (6.4%).
The company's business model is unique (and lucrative): It buys the real estate, rents it out to companies, and those tenants are responsible for paying the property taxes, insurance, and general maintenance. This contrasts with most other rental cases, where the landlord would be responsible for them.
Who Realty Income leases to matters a lot. Its tenants aren't seed-round start-ups; they're typically businesses in industries that thrive regardless of economic conditions, providing Realty Income with reliable rent income and keeping its vacancy rate low. Its top three clients are Dollar General, 7-Eleven, and Walgreens.
Because REITs are structured, Realty Income is required to return 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. It has a monthly dividend, which works well for those who want their passive income more frequently. Depending on how much you eventually invest in it, its payouts can work somewhat like paychecks.
Realty Income routinely has a high dividend yield, but its consistent increases make it a better long-term investment. In March, Realty Income announced its 114th consecutive quarterly dividend increase, and I expect this streak to continue for the long haul.
2. Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) (P&G) is one of the more surefire dividend stocks on the market. It's a Dividend King (a company with at least 50 consecutive years of dividend increases), having increased its dividend for 70 straight years -- the fifth-longest streak on the market.
The key to P&G's sustained success is selling products that sell regardless of economic conditions. It owns household-name brands such as Tide, Pampers, Crest, Bounty, Tampax, Gillette, Old Spice, and dozens of others. Regardless of whether the economy is flourishing or in a recession, people have to brush their teeth, wash their bodies, clean their clothes, clean their homes, and keep up with feminine care.
At its size, P&G won't be a company that consistently grows revenue by double-digit percentages, but it'll be a reliable cash cow. In its most recent quarter (ended March 31), P&G generated $21.2 billion in sales, up 7% year over year. Its operating cash flow (cash from its core operations) was $4 billion, more than enough to cover the $2.5 billion in dividends it paid out in the quarter.
You don't invest in P&G in hopes of "Magnificent Seven" stock-like returns; you do it because you know you never have to second-guess its attractive dividend. Its current dividend yield is nearly 3%, a bit above its 2.5% average over the past five years. It's a two-for-one benefit: an above-average dividend yield and an all-but-guaranteed annual increase.
Part of having passive income is not having to think too much, and P&G's stock (and dividend) lets you avoid just that.
Should you buy stock in Realty Income right now?
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Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 Stocks to Buy Now for a Lifetime of Passive Income -- Starting Immediately

Stewart Information Services today announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.525 per share for the second quarter 2026, payable June 30, 2026, to common stockholders of record on June 15, 2026.
Essential Properties Realty Trust announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter 2026 dividend represents an annualized dividend of $1.28 per share of common stock, an increase of $0.04 per share compared to the previous annualized dividend. The dividend is payable on July 14, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 30, 2026.
Signet's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of $0.35 per share for the second quarter of Fiscal 2027, payable August 21, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 24, 2026, with an ex-dividend date of July 24, 2026.
The HPE Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.1425 per share on the company's common stock, payable on or about July 15, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2026.
On June 1, 2026, the Dollar General's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share on the Company's common stock, payable on or before July 21, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2026.
VIDEO: Daily Dividend Report: STC,EPRT,SIG,HPE,DG
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Dollar General Corporation

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