The Home Depot Inc. disclosed net earnings for the fiscal second quarter ended July 30 totaling $2.67 billion, or $2.25 per share, a 9.5% rise in the aggregate from $2.44 billion, or $1.97 per share, in the year-ago period.

The S&P Capital IQ consensus EPS estimate for the second quarter was $2.22.

In reporting results, The Home Depot said it forecasts diluted earnings per share at $7.29 for the fiscal full year, compared to previous guidance at $7.15. The lifted guidance includes the impact of $7 billion in share repurchases for the full year. The S&P Capital IQ consensus EPS for the fiscal full year is $7.29.

The Home Depot expects sales to rise roughly 5.3% for the year, with comparable sales up 5.5%.

Net sales for the second quarter came to $28.11 billion, a 6.2% increase from $26.47 billion in the prior-year period, and gross profit totaled $9.46 billion, a 6.0% gain year over year from $8.93 billion.

Earnings before income taxes grew 8.7% on an annual basis to $4.21 billion from $3.88 billion.