LAKELAND, Fla., Nov. 1, 2023 — Publix’s sales for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 were $14 billion, a 7.2% increase from $13 billion in 2022. Comparable store sales for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 increased 4.3%.
Net earnings for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 were $833 million, compared to $394 million in 2022, an increase of 111.4%. Earnings per share for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 increased to $0.25 per share, up from $0.12 per share in 2022. Excluding the impact of net unrealized losses on equity securities in 2023 and 2022, net earnings for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 would have been $940 million, compared to $809 million in 2022, an increase of 16.2%. Earnings per share would have been $0.28 per share, compared to $0.24 per share in 2022.
Publix’s sales for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 were $42.4 billion, an 8.1% increase from $39.2 billion in 2022. Comparable store sales for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 increased 5.6%.
Net earnings for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 were $3.2 billion, compared to $1.6 billion in 2022, an increase of 93.4%. Earnings per share for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 increased to $0.95 per share, up from $0.48 per share in 2022. Excluding the impact of net unrealized gains on equity securities in 2023 and net unrealized losses on equity securities in 2022, net earnings for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 would have been $3 billion, compared to $2.8 billion in 2022, an increase of 10.3%. Earnings per share would have been $0.91 per share, compared to $0.81 per share in 2022.
These amounts are based on unaudited financial statements that will be filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and made available on the company’s website at corporate.publix.com/stock.
Effective Nov. 1, 2023, Publix’s stock price increased from $14.75 per share to $15.10 per share. Publix stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its board of directors.
“Our associates make a difference in the lives of our customers and communities every day,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “I’m proud of their efforts and commitment.”
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial results for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 and Sept. 24, 2022 in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the company presents net earnings and earnings per share excluding the impact of equity securities being measured at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value recognized in earnings (fair value adjustment). These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP. The company excludes the impact of the fair value adjustment since it is primarily due to temporary equity market fluctuations that do not reflect the company’s operations. The company believes this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of operations.
Following is a reconciliation of net earnings to net earnings excluding the impact of the fair value adjustment for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 and Sept. 24, 2022:
| Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2023 |
Three Months Ended Sept. 24, 2022 |
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| (Amounts are in millions, except per share amounts) |
(Amounts are in millions, except per share amounts) |
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| Net earnings | $833 | 394 | ||||
| Fair value adjustment, due to net unrealized loss, on equity securities held at end of period | 144 | 556 | ||||
| Income tax benefit (1) | (37) | (141) | ||||
| Net earnings excluding impact of fair value adjustment | $940 | 809 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 3,320 | 3,366 | ||||
| Earnings per share excluding impact of fair value adjustment | $0.28 | 0.24 | ||||
Following is a reconciliation of net earnings to net earnings excluding the impact of the fair value adjustment for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023 and Sept. 24, 2022:
| Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2023 |
Nine Months Ended Sept. 24, 2022 |
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| (Amounts are in millions, except per share amounts) |
(Amounts are in millions, except per share amounts) |
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| Net earnings | $3,171 | 1,640 | ||||
| Fair value adjustment, due to net unrealized (gain) loss, on equity securities held at end of period | (225) | 1,495 | ||||
| Net gain on sale of equity securities previously recognized through fair value adjustment | 48 | — | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) (1) | 45 | (379) | ||||
| Net earnings excluding impact of fair value adjustment | $3,039 | 2,756 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 3,327 | 3,394 | ||||
| Earnings per share excluding impact of fair value adjustment | $0.91 | 0.81 | ||||
(1) Income tax expense (benefit) is based on the company’s combined federal and state statutory income tax rates.