NEW YORK CITY – Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a surge in sales and profits for the third quarter, prompting the retailer to revise its full-year guidance after earlier concerns about theft led to a disappointing outlook. The company’s strong performance during the back-to-school season and a positive holiday forecast have contributed to renewed investor confidence.

The athletic goods retailer exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.85 compared to the anticipated $2.44, and revenue reaching $3.04 billion versus the expected $2.94 billion. Despite a slight decrease in net income and an increase in sales, Dick’s remains optimistic about its future outlook.

Dick’s now projects its full-year earnings per share to fall within the range of $11.45 to $12.05, a revision from the previously expected $11.27 to $12.39. Additionally, the company raised its comparable sales outlook, forecasting a slight increase of 0.5% to 2% compared to the initial estimate of flat to up 2%.

The retailer’s cautious approach to the holiday season, despite its strong quarterly performance, reflects concerns shared by other industry players about tepid consumer demand. Dick’s had suffered a 24% drop in stock value earlier in the year due to theft-related profit loss, but its recent success has reinvigorated its outlook.

President and CEO Lauren Hobart expressed the company’s satisfaction with the third-quarter results and its growing market share, emphasizing the strong back-to-school season and the positive impact of their athlete experience and product assortment on consumers’ choices. As the holiday season approaches, Dick’s aims to maintain its strong performance and continue providing exceptional products, services, and experiences to its customers.

In conclusion, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ impressive third-quarter earnings and revised full-year outlook reflect a resurgence in the company’s performance, driven by strong sales and market share gains. While concerns about theft and aggressive markdowns continue to impact the retailer’s guidance, its positive trajectory suggests a promising holiday season and continued success in meeting consumer needs.