Discount-retailer Ross Stores Inc. jumped after projecting inflation will push more consumers to seek its off-price wares and deliver sales growth above expectations.

Same-store-sales will grow 2% to 3% a quarter for the next two quarters, Ross said in a statement Thursday. Analysts had expected 2.3% on average next quarter, and the high end of the range would be its largest expansion since the start of the year, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. Shares rose as much as 4% in post-market trading following the report, the most in the S&P 500 Index.

“We anticipate pricing across retail will move higher as we progress through the year, which will lead consumers to seek more value this fall season,” chief executive officer Jim Conroy said in the statement.

Budget-friendly chains from re

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