Albertsons Companies Inc. reported fiscal first-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations, helped by steady grocery demand and growth in digital channels. Revenue rose 2.5% from a year earlier to $24.88 billion, about $176 million above analyst estimates. Adjusted earnings were $0.55 a share versus the $0.53 consensus, while identical sales increased 2.8%, topping projections of roughly 2.1%. Net income came in at $236 million, or $0.41 a share, and adjusted EBITDA reached $1.11 billion. The Boise, Idaho-based retailer reiterated its full-year adjusted earnings outlook of $2.03 to $2.16 a share but lifted its identical-sales forecast to growth of 2.75%, narrowing and raising the previous 1.5% to 2.5% range. It now expects full-year adjusted EBITDA of $3.88 billion to $3.98 billion, slightly above the $3.87 billion average analyst estimate. Digital revenue advanced 25% in the quarter, and loyalty-program membership expanded 14% to 47.3 million, underscoring management’s push to deepen customer engagement. The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 a share, payable to shareholders of record on the company’s customary schedule.