Target Corp reported a higher quarterly profit on Wednesday as sales perked up toward the end of the quarter when shoppers started buying clothing and other items for kids going back to school in the fall.

Target, which has more than 1,760 U.S. stores and is getting ready to open stores in Canada, earned $704 million, or $1.03 per share, in the second quarter, up from $679 million, or 92 cents per share, a year earlier.

The retailer forecast third-quarter earnings per share of 70 cents to 75 cents, and full-year earnings per share of $4.15 to $4.30.

Earlier this month, Target said second-quarter sales rose 5.1 percent to $15.9 billion, with sales at stores open at least a year up 3.9 percent.

(Reporting by Jessica Wohl. Editing by Robert MacMillan)

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