Kroger (KR 0.64%) has reported its Q4 and 2012 results. For the quarter, sales were $24 billion, or 13% higher than the $21 billion of the same period the previous year. Attributable net swung to a profit of $462 million ($0.88 per diluted share), from Q4 2011's loss of $307 million ($0.54).
That top-line figure broadly met analyst expectations. The EPS number, on the other hand, trounced the average projection of $0.70.
For the full year, sales came in at $97 billion, which bettered the the 2011 tally of $90 billion. Net income totaled just under $1.5 billion ($2.77 per diluted share) for the year, which was more than double 2011's $602 million ($1.01).
Kroger also provided forward guidance for fiscal 2013. The company believes its annual sales growth will be 2.5%-3.5%, while diluted EPS should come in at $2.71-$2.79. Analysts had been projecting $2.64 for the latter.
