Same-store sales rose 1.9% in the period

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. on Wednesday posted fiscal fourth quarter earnings that were in line with the company’s forecast. The company said store traffic and sales grew during the year-end holiday season.

Same-store sales rose 1.9% in the period, driven in part by a 34% increase in online sales. Target offered free shipping on online purchases during the holidays in a bid to boost e-commerce.

Fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.52. Full-year earnings per share increased 11.3% to $4.69. Target said it expects fiscal 2016 earnings per share of between $5.20 and $5.40.

“With traffic growing for five consecutive quarters and our signature categories of style, baby, kids and wellness leading our growth, Target’s results demonstrate that we are focused on the right strategic priorities,” chief executive officer Brian Cornell said in a statement.

Fourth quarter revenue was $21.63 billion, Target said, down 0.6% from $21.75 billion a year earlier.

Target sold its pharmacy business to CVS Health in December.

The company noted that it returned $4.8 billion to shareholders in 2015 through dividends and share repurchases.