Grocery Chain Supervalu Reports Fiscal 4Q Loss

Grocery chain Supervalu Inc. reported a loss for its fiscal fourth quarter ended Feb. 28, primarily on a goodwill charge, the Associated Press reported.

The company lost $201 million, or 95 cents per share, down from a profit of $156 million, or 73 cents, a year earlier.

Supervalu's same-store sales fell 1.2% for the quarter, AP reported.

For fiscal 2009, Supervalu lost $2.86 billion, or $13.51 per share, compared with a profit of $593 million, or $2.76, a year ago. Adjusted earnings were $615 million, or $2.89 per share.

Annual revenue rose to $44.56 billion, from $44.05 billion, the company said.

Supervalu, which has about 1,500 trucks and 5,500 trailers, is ranked No. 23 in the Transport Topics Private 100 listing of private North American carriers.