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LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix reported sales of $15.3 billion for the three-month fiscal quarter ended December 31. That’s an increase of 22% from the $12.6 billion posted in the fourth quarter of 2021, a 13-week quarter. The additional week in the fourth quarter of 2022 increased sales by 8.1%. Comparable-store sales for the period increased 12.4%.
Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $1.3 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in 2021, an increase of 21.6%. Earnings per share increased to 38 cents per share, up from 31 cents per share in 2021, adjusted for the effect of the 5-for-1 stock split that occurred on April 14, 2022. Excluding the impact of net unrealized losses on equity securities in 2022 and net unrealized gains on equity securities in 2021, net earnings for the fourth quarter would have been $1.3 billion, compared to $960 million in 2021, an increase of 34.7%. EPS would have been 39 cents per share, compared to 28 cents per share in 2021, adjusted for the effect of the stock split. Net earnings and EPS benefited from the additional week in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Publix’s sales for the 53-week fiscal year were $54.5 billion, a 13.6% increase from $48 billion in 2021, a 52-week year. The additional week in 2022 increased sales by 2.1%. Comparable-store sales for the 2022 fiscal year increased 9.9%.
Net earnings for the fiscal year were $2.9 billion, compared to $4.4 billion in 2021, a decrease of 33.9%. EPS decreased to 86 cents per share, down from $1.28 per share in 2021, adjusted for the effect of the stock split. Excluding the impact of net unrealized losses on equity securities in 2022 and net unrealized gains on equity securities in 2021, net earnings for the fiscal year would have been $4 billion, compared to $3.6 billion in 2021, an increase of 12.7%. EPS would have been $1.20 per share, compared to $1.04 per share in 2021, adjusted for the effect of the stock split. Net earnings and earnings per share benefited from the additional week in 2022.
Effective March 1, Publix’s stock price increased from $13.19 per share to $14.55 per share. Publix stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its board of directors.
“I’m proud of our operating results and pleased with our stock price increase,” said Publix chief executive officer Todd Jones.
