HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kroger posted a strong second quarter as it released its earnings report Thursday.

The parent company of Dillons reported total earnings of $0.44 per share compared with $0.41 per share in the same quarter last year.

Profits also increased to end the first half of 2019 at $559 million compared with $549 million in 2018. Total sales were $28.2 billion compared to $28.0 billion last year.

Another positive during the quarter was the sell-off of an unused warehouse that had been on the market for some time.

Kroger used that gain to contribute to the company pension plan, helping stabilize associates’ future benefits.