Albertson's Profit Falls 18% in Quarter - Los Angeles Times
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Albertson’s Profit Falls 18% in Quarter

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Bloomberg News

Albertson’s Inc. said earnings fell 18% in its fiscal first quarter to $186 million, or 46 cents a share, as it struggled with higher costs. The supermarket operator also said profit in the second quarter might be less than analysts’ forecasts. Analysts on average were expecting first-quarter earnings of 45 cents a share.

For the second quarter, the Boise, Idaho-based company said it expects profit of at least 43 cents a share. But analysts’ average estimate is 52 cents, according to First Call/Thomson Financial.

Chief Executive Lawrence Johnston, who took the helm six weeks ago, plans to cut expenses and spend to improve technology, training and promotions.

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Sales in the latest quarter rose 3.5% to $9.3 billion, while sales at stores open at least a year rose 1.4% in the latest quarter.

Albertson’s shares fell 27 cents to $27.73 on the New York Stock Exchange. The company released earnings after the close of regular U.S. markets.

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