BJ's Posts 41% Jump in Profit, Raises Outlook

BJ's Wholesale Club(BJ Quote) raised its full-year outlook as it announced that its first-quarter profit soared 41%, beating analysts' expectations.

During the quarter, the company earned $24.3 million, or 45 cents a share, compared with $17.2 million, or 29 cents, a year earlier. Analysts expected earnings of 44 cents a share.

While warehouse clubs are easily outshining full-price retailers, they are experiencing a slight downturn compared to last year. Last year, higher gas prices had driven greater sales at their fuel stations.

Sales rose slightly to $2.26 billion from $2.25 billion, but total same-store sales declined 1.5%.

BJ's now expects full-year earnings in the range of $2.44 to $2.54 a share, up from already raised forecast of $2.42 to $2.52 a share.

Rival Costco Wholesale(COST Quote) was upgraded to outperform from neutral before the opening bell by a Credit Suisse analyst.