Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) reported Q3 EPS of $0.53, $0.03 better than the analyst estimate of $0.50. Revenue for the quarter came in at $2.78 billion versus the consensus estimate of $2.77 billion.

Ross Stores sees Q4 2015 EPS of $0.60-$0.63, versus the consensus of $0.64.

Ross Stores sees FY2015 EPS of $2.45-$2.48, versus the consensus of $2.46.

Barbara Rentler, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with the better-than-expected sales and earnings growth we achieved in the third quarter. These results demonstrate that customers continue to respond positively to the wide assortments of fresh and exciting bargains we offer throughout our stores. Third quarter operating margin of 12.1% was ahead of plan, up 30 basis points over last year, mainly driven by higher merchandise margin."

Ms. Rentler continued, "During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we repurchased 10.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $530 million. We remain on track to repurchase a total of $700 million in common stock during fiscal 2015 under the two-year $1.4 billion authorization approved by our Board of Directors in February of this year."

Looking ahead, Ms. Rentler said, "In the upcoming fourth quarter, we face challenging prior year comparisons, ongoing uncertainty in the macro-economic environment, and a holiday season that will be highly promotional. Therefore, while we hope to do better, we believe it is prudent to maintain our prior guidance for this period. For the 13 weeks ending January 30, 2016, we continue to project same store sales to be flat to up 1%, versus a strong 6% gain in the prior year, with earnings per share of $.60 to $.63 compared to $.60 in last year's fourth quarter. For fiscal 2015, earnings per share are now forecast to be in the range of $2.45 to $2.48, up 11% to 12% from $2.21 in fiscal 2014."

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Ross Stores (ROST) click here.