Dutch supermarket chain Koninklijke Ahold NV (AHODF.PK, AHONY.PK) posted significantly lower fourth-quarter net income attributable to common shareholders of 158 million euros, or 0.15 euros per share, compared with 270 million euros, or 0.24 euros per share in the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly Income from continuing operations was 159 million euros, down from last year's 274 million euros, driven by the after-tax effects of the items mentioned within operating income. Underlying operating income for the reporting period totaled 355 million euros.
However, the firm clocked net sales of 7.835 billion euros for the quarter, up 7.5% and 5.1% at actual and constant exchange rates, respectively; while the previous year's net sales were 7.29 billion euros.
Commenting on the quarterly performance, CEO Dick Boer said, "We grew sales and gained market share in all our markets. Underlying operating income increased, excluding €199 million of impairments and non-recurring items related to pensions and restructuring charges."
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