Investing.com -- Off-price retailer Ross Stores raised its full-year earnings outlook on Thursday after reporting stronger-than-expected second-quarter sales and profit, helped by robust customer traffic and a refund of tariffs.

Second-quarter sales rose 13% to $6.3 billion, while comparable-store sales jumped 10%, driven primarily by increased traffic. Net income climbed to $851.3 million from $508.0 million a year earlier, while diluted earnings per share rose to $2.66 from $1.56.

The results included about $253 million in refunds of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which boosted earnings per share by about 60 cents. Operating income rose to $1.1 billion from $638.3 million a year earlier, with the company saying its operating margin expanded 205 basis points excluding the tariff benefit.

The company raised its fiscal 2026 earnings-per-share forecast to $8.61-$8.77, including the tariff-related benefit. It expects comparable-store sales to rise 6%-7% in the third quarter and 4%-5% in the fourth quarter, with third-quarter earnings per share projected at $1.75-$1.83 and fourth-quarter earnings at $2.17-$2.26.

Ross also increased its 2026 store-opening plan to 115 locations, comprising about 90 Ross Dress for Less stores and 25 dd's Discounts stores. It opened 47 stores during the second quarter.

For the first six months, sales rose 17% to $12.3 billion, while comparable-store sales increased 13%. Net income rose to $1.5 billion from $987.2 million, and diluted earnings per share increased to $4.69 from $3.03.

Ross repurchased 1.4 million shares for $319 million during the quarter and remains on track to buy back $1.275 billion of stock in fiscal 2026.