Publix Q4 profit up 7.4%

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Super Market Inc.’s net earnings in the fourth quarter rose 7.4% to $422 million, compared to $392.8 million in the year-ago period.



Sales in the quarter, ended Dec. 28, 2013, rose 5.3% to $7.4 billion, from $7 billion last year.



“I’m pleased our operating performance resulted in another increase in our stock price,” said Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our associates— the owners of Publix — deserve the credit for this achievement.”



Publix’s sales for the full fiscal year were $28.9 billion, compared to $27.5 billion last year.



Net earnings for 2013 were $1.7 billion, a 6.6% increase from last year’s $1.6 billion.