PUBLIX NET INCREASES 34% IN THIRD QUARTER

CAROL EMERT

LAKELAND, Fla. (FNS) -- Net earnings at Publix Super Markets here jumped 34% in the third quarter from the comparable 1993 period, rising to $41.8 million from $31 million, the company reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Comparable-store sales rose 5.6% in the quarter while sales overall gained 15.8%. For the quarter, which ended Sept. 24, sales totaled $2.05 billion, compared with $1.8 billion in the year-ago period.

During the first three quarters of the year, net earnings hit $169.4 million, a 27.8% increase from $132.5 million in the comparable 1993 period. Sales for the nine months rose 13.3% to $6.2 billion from $5.5 billion last year, with comparable-store sales gaining 5.2%. During the first three quarters of this year, Publix opened 36 new stores, enlarged or remodeled 13 stores and closed three stores, bringing capital spending costs to $274.5 million. An additional $125.5 million has been budgeted for capital needs through the year's end, the filing said. During the first three quarters of 1993, the company spent $205.2 million to open 16 new stores, close four stores and remodel and enlarge an unidentified number of stores.

Publix currently operates 466 stores.

3RD-QUARTER RESULTS

Qtr Ended 9/24/94 9/25/93

Sales $2.0 billion $1.8 billion

Change 15.8%

Same-store 5.6%

Net Income $41.8 million $31.1 million

Change 34%

Inc/Share 18 cents 13 cents

Nine Months 1994 1993

Sales $6.2 billion $5.5 billion

Change 13.3%

Same-store 5.2%

Net income $169.4 million $132.5 million

Change 27.8%

Inc/Share 73 cents 56 cents