By The Canadian Press on April 24, 2024.
MONTREAL – Metro Inc. reported its second-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as its sales edged higher. The food and drugstore retailer says it earned $187.1 million or 83 cents per diluted for the 12-week period ended March 16. The result was down from a profit $218.8 million or 93 cents per diluted share a year earlier. Sales in the quarter totalled $4.66 billion, up from $4.55 billion in the same quarter last year. Metro says food same-store sales were up 0.2 per cent in the quarter and up 2.7 per cent after adjusting for the Christmas week shift. Pharmacy same-store sales were up 5.9 per cent, boosted by a 6.0 per cent increase in prescription drugs and a 5.8 per cent gain in front-store sales. On an adjusted basis, Metro says it earned 91 cents per diluted share in its latest quarter, down from 96 cents per diluted share a year earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:MRU) 9