NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) - Auto parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive Inc. on Tuesday reported higher second-quarter earnings, boosted by a 6.9 percent rise in sales at its stores open at least one year.
O'Reilly, which operates more than 1,000 stores mostly in the U.S. South and Midwest, said second-quarter net income rose to $26.9 million, or 50 cents a share, from $22.5 million, or 42 cents, in the same period a year ago.
Analysts expected O'Reilly, based in Springfield, Missouri, to earn 50 cents a share, with estimates ranging from 48 cents to 52 cents, according to Reuters Research, a unit of Reuters Group Plc.
Product sales climbed to $393.1 million from $343.2 million.