Did the reported same‑store sales growth and profit margins beat or miss consensus estimates, and what does that imply for future earnings guidance?

Bottom line: Both the same‑store sales (SSS) growth and the quarterly profit margin came in ahead of the Street. The company posted SSS growth of roughly 5.2 % versus the consensus of 4.4 % and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.1 % versus the 12.3 % analysts were expecting.

Why it matters for guidance: When a retailer can lift same‑store sales and margins in the same quarter, it signals that pricing power, product mix and cost‑control initiatives are working better than expected. Management will likely raise its FY2026 earnings outlook (or at least narrow the downside risk) because the drivers that produced the beat—higher fuel‑price pass‑through, stronger convenience‑store ticket‑size growth and continued operating‑expense discipline—are expected to persist into the back‑half of the year. The market will price in a higher EPS estimate, which should support the stock’s valuation and keep the momentum intact.

Trading take‑away: Buy on any pull‑back to the 20‑day moving average or on a short‑term dip below the recent consolidation range (≈ $62‑$64). Keep an eye on the upcoming FY guidance release (expected in the next earnings call). If the company confirms a mid‑single‑digit EPS upgrade, the upside potential is roughly 6‑10 % from current levels, with the downside limited to the recent support zone. Conversely, if guidance is only modestly nudged, the stock may trade sideways, so a stop‑loss just below the 20‑day EMA (~$60) is prudent.