SALT LAKE CITY -- American Stores Co. here reported an increase in sales for the fourth quarter and year-to-date but a loss for the quarter and a decrease in net income for the year. The company said the income results are due to an extraordinary charge related to its pending merger with Albertson's, Boise, Idaho.

$96.1 million for the same period last year.

Net income was affected by a one-time charge of $132.6 million in common stock options on an after-tax basis -- or 47 cents per diluted share for the quarter. The stock options are part of the merger proposal and were included in the results because of the assumption that the deal will close, the company said.

4th-QUARTER RESULTS

Qtr Ended 1/30/99 1/31/98

Sales $5.20 billion $4.97 billion

Change + 4.4%

Comp-store + 18.4%

Net Income ($1 million) $96.1 million

Inc/Share N/A 35 cents

52 Weeks 1999 1998

Sales $19.9 billion $19.1 billion

Change + 3.8%

Comp-store + 1.5%

Net Income $233.7 million $280.6 million

Change - 20.06%

Inc/Share 85 cents $1.02