PATHMARK OPERATING FLOW, SAME-STORE SALES RISE

CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark Stores here said same-store sales and operating cash flow improved while overall sales growth was slowed by increasing competitive activity for the third quarter and 39 weeks ended Oct. 31.

ing cash flow rose 10.2% to $46.5 million for the quarter and 9.4% to $154.4 million for the 39 weeks. Pathmark said it had a net loss of $14.3 million for the quarter and $23.9 million for the year to date.

3rd-QUARTER RESULTS

Qtr Ended 10/31/98 11/1/97

Sales $900 million $901 million

Change - 0.1%

Same-store + 1.3%

Net Income ($14.3 million) ($11.3 million)*

39 Weeks 1998 1997

Sales $2.74 billion $2.76 billion

Change - 0.6%

Same-store + 1.2%

Net Income ($23.9 million)* ($34.9 million)*

* Current-year results for the nine-month period include a gain of $5.1 million on the sale of certain real estate. Prior-year results for the third quarter and nine-month periods include a gain of $2 million on a LIFO liquidation related to the sale of the company's pharmaceutical warehouse inventory. Prior-year results for the nine-month period also include an extraordinary item of $7.5 million representing a net loss on early extinguishment of debt related to refinancing of the company's bank credit agreement.