Winn-Dixie Stores tallies fiscal third quarter results

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc reported net income of $16.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This compares with net income of $15.0 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

Net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $1.7 billion, an increase of $3.1 million compared with the prior year period. Identical store sales from continuing operations increased 0.2% versus the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Gross profit in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $498.7 million, or 28.9% of net sales, compared with $483.1 million, or 28.0% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

Net sales for the 40 weeks ended April 1, 2009, were $5.7 billion, an increase of $61.2 million versus the same period in the prior fiscal year. Identical store sales from continuing operations increased 1.0% compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 28.3%, an increase of 100 basis points versus the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Net income for the 40 weeks of fiscal 2009 was $30.4 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in contrast to net income of $18.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year.