Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) reported its fourth quarter and full-year earnings on Monday, March 16. The discount retailer’s stock rose about 3% after reporting increased earnings and sales for the quarter.

The retail chain reported revenue of $5.45 billion during the quarter. This was up 9% from $5.00 billion in revenue at this time last year and came in just under analysts’ expectations of $5.46 billion. For the full year, revenue was $19.41 billion, an increase from $17.58 billion reported last year.

“Our strong results this quarter show that Dollar Tree remains America’s retail destination for value, convenience, and discovery – underscored by our 20th consecutive year of positive same store sales,” said Dollar Tree CEO, Mike Creedon. “By delivering great value at low prices, with disciplined execution, we continue to expand our reach and drive long-term growth.”

The company posted net income of $506.1 million or $2.53 per adjusted share. This was up from a net loss of $3.70 billion or $17.17 per adjusted share during the same quarter last year. For the full year, the company reported net income of $1.28 billion.

Dollar Tree opened 42 new stores in the fourth quarter, ending the quarter with a total of 9,282 stores. Dollar Tree’s same-store net sales grew by 5.0%, due to an increase of 6.3% in the average ticket offset by a 1.2% decline in traffic. Fourth quarter gross profit margin increased by 150 basis points, reaching 39.1% in the quarter. The increase was attributed to improved mark-on from pricing initiatives and lower domestic and import freight costs. For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company expects net sales to range from $4.9 billion to $5.0 billion with earnings per adjusted share between $1.45 and $1.60.

Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) shares ended the week at $105.92, down 5% for the week.

Lululemon Reports Comfortable Earnings

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (LULU) released its fourth quarter and full-year earnings report on Tuesday, March 17. The athletic-apparel company’s quarterly revenue increased year-over-year, causing its shares to increase by more than 5%.

Lululemon reported quarterly revenue of $3.64 billion. This was a 1% increase from last year's fourth quarter revenue of $3.61 billion and above analysts’ expectations of $3.58 billion for the quarter. For the full year, the company reported revenue of $11.10 billion, an increase from $10.59 billion reported last year.

“We are pleased to achieve fourth quarter revenue and EPS results ahead of our expectations,” said Lululemon interim Co-CEO, Meghan Frank. “As we begin our new fiscal year, we are focused on executing on our action plan, offering new and differentiated products to our guests, and elevating their experiences with lululemon. Driving improvement in our full-price sales over the course of 2026 is also a key priority, particularly in North America, and will enable us to enhance our brand health and deliver long-term growth and value creation for shareholders.”

The company announced net income of $586.9 million or $5.01 per adjusted share for the quarter. This is down from net income of $748.4 million or $6.14 per adjusted share one year ago. For the full year, Lululemon reported net income of $1.58 billion.

Lululemon opened 18 new company-operated stores and closed three during the fourth quarter, maintaining a total of 811 open stores at the end of the quarter. The company reported that comparable sales for its Americas segment decreased 1% while comparable sales in its International segment increased by 20% in the fourth quarter. Gross profit fell 8% to $2.0 billion, while gross margin declined by 550 basis points to 54.9%. The company expects revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 to between $2.4 billion and $2.43 billion and diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.63 to $1.68 for the quarter.

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (LULU) shares closed at $162.82, up 3% for the week.

General Mills Announces Quarterly Earnings

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) posted its third quarter earnings on Wednesday, March 18. The company’s stock remained relatively unchanged after beating sales expectations for the quarter.  

Net sales totaled $4.44 billion for the quarter, down 8% from $4.84 billion one year ago. Quarterly revenue beat analysts’ estimates of $4.42 billion.

“We started the year expecting that our investments, divestitures, and unfavorable timing comparisons would drive declines in our sales and earnings results through our first three quarters, even as we improved our volume and market share,” said General Mills CEO, Jeff Harmening. “As we move to the fourth quarter, we expect to deliver a step up in organic sales trends and return to earnings growth, driven by favorable timing comparisons, the 53rd week, and our continued market share momentum.”

The company reported net income of $303.1 million or $0.56 per adjusted share for the quarter. This was down from $625.6 million or $1.12 per adjusted share during the same quarter last year.

General Mills reported that operating profit decreased 41% to $525 million for the quarter. In the third quarter, General Mills reported $2.60 billion in net sales for its North America Retail segment, which was down 14% from the year prior. The North America Pet segment increased 3% to $640.5 million during the quarter. The company’s International segment increased 7% to $696.3 million in net sales. The company reaffirmed its full-year fiscal 2026 outlook and continues to anticipate organic sales to decline between 1.5% to 2% year-over-year.

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) shares ended the week at $37.01, down 7% for the week.

The Dow started the week of 3/16 at 46,707 and closed at 45,577 on 3/20. The S&P 500 started the week at 6,674 and closed at 6,506. The NASDAQ started the week at 22,340 and closed at 21,648.

U.S. Treasury yields fell early in the week as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s policy update on interest rates. Yields rose toward the end of the week as the latest employment data showed lower than expected jobless claims.

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced an 11-1 vote in favor of keeping interest rates in the range of 3.50% to 3.75%. This marks the second consecutive meeting where the Fed has maintained current rates. The members revised their view on the economy, now expecting slightly faster growth and higher inflation in 2026.

“The forecast is that we will be making progress on inflation, not as much as we had hoped, but some progress on inflation” said Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell. “The rate forecast is conditional on the performance of the economy, so if we do not see that progress, then you will not see the rate cut.”

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield opened the week of March 16 at 4.28% and traded as low as 4.17% on Wednesday. The 30-year Treasury bond opened the week at 4.90% and traded as low as 4.82% on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that initial claims for unemployment decreased by 8,000 to 205,000 for the week ending March 14, below economists’ expectations of 215,000. Continuing claims increased by 10,000 to 1.86 million.

“Producers are unlikely to fire staff while there is a strong chance the jump in prices is temporary,” said chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, Samuel Tombs. “But elevated uncertainty, the recent tightening of financial conditions and high borrowing costs for small businesses will continue to weigh on hiring.”

The 10-year Treasury note yield finished the week of 3/16 at 4.39% while the 30-year Treasury note yield finished the week at 4.94%.

Freddie Mac released its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Thursday, March 19. The survey showed mortgage rates increasing for the second week in a row. 

This week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.22%, up from last week’s average of 6.11%. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.67%.

The 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.54% this week, up from last week’s 5.50%. During the same week last year, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.83%.

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage edged up this week to 6.22% but remains nearly half a percentage point lower than the same time last year,” said chief economist at Freddie Mac, Sam Khater. “Potential homebuyers are poised for a more affordable spring homebuying season than last with the market experiencing improvements in purchase applications and pending home sales.”

Based on published national averages, the savings rate was 0.39% as of 3/16. The one-year CD averaged 1.52%.

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