Publix has reported its first quarter results and stock price for 2012. Sales for the first quarter of the year were $7.1 billion; up 4.2 percent from last year’s $6.8 billion. Comparable-store sales for the 2012 first quarter increased 3.3 percent. For the first quarter of 2012, net earnings were $409.4 million, an increase of 2.8% when compared to $398.2 million in the similar quarter last year. Earnings per share for the 2012 quarter increased to $0.52, up from $0.51 per share in the first quarter of 2011. As of May 1, 2012, Publix’s stock price increased to $22.70 per share from $22.40 per share to. Publix is not a publicly traded company and the stocks are made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its Board of Directors. Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw, stated, “I’m pleased we had another increase in our stock price during a time of economic challenges.” Mr. Crenshaw, continues “Our associates deserve the credit for continuing to make us a leader in our industry.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
