Rite Aid swings to Q2 profit; lifts view

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. reported that it swung to profit in the second-quarter profit, fueled by increased sales and stronger margins. The drugstore chain raised its full-year forecast.



Rite Aid reported a profit of $32.8 million for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with a year-earlier loss of $38.8 million. It was the chain’s fourth-straight quarterly profit.



Sales for the quarter were $6.3 billion, up from $6.2 billion in the year ago period. Same-store sales were up by 1%,



“We posted excellent results in the second quarter, highlighted by another quarter of net income and an all-time company record for second-quarter Adjusted EBITDA,” said Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley. “As we continue to improve our operational and financial performance, we are also making tremendous progress in transforming our more than 4,600 stores into true neighborhood destinations for health and wellness, as indicated by our successful launch of the wellness65+ loyalty program for seniors, a strong start to our flu immunization campaign and the completion of our 1,000th wellness store remodel.”