SUPERVALU Q3 Net Sales Up 4.8% - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Grocery retailer SUPERVALU Inc. (SVU) posted net earnings from continuing operations of $12 million, or $0.04 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Recent quarter's results included a $36 million after-tax pension settlement charge and $1 million in after-tax debt refinancing and net information technology intrusion costs. Adjusted for these items, third-quarter fiscal 2015 net earnings from continuing operations totaled $49 million, or $0.18 per share. On average, 10 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.14 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The prior-year quarter's net earnings from continuing operations were $33 million, or $0.12 per share and included $3 million in after-tax net charges and costs comprised of a multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge, asset impairment, contract breakage, and other costs, offset in part by a gain from the sale of a property and the reduction of previously accrued severance costs.

On the other hand, quarterly net earnings attributable to the company of $79 million, or $0.30 per share were higher than last year's $31 million, or $0.12 per share.

Third quarter net sales were $4.20 billion compared to $4.01 billion last year, a 4.8 percent growth year-over-year. Eight analysts estimated revenues of $4.09 billion for the quarter.