Publix posted softer earnings but better sales on flat comps for its first quarter ended March 28.
Sales for the quarter were $16.1 billion, up 2% from $15.8 billion in the year-earlier quarter, Publix reported. The increase in sales was lowered by the impact of the Medicare maximum fair price change effective January 1, which reduced prices for 10 medications. As noted, year-over-year comparable store sales for the period remained unchanged.
Net earnings were $794 million versus $1.01 billion in the previous-year quarter, while earnings per share for the period slipped to 25 cents from 31 cents. With the impact of net unrealized losses on equity securities in 2026 and 2025, net earnings for the first quarter would have been $1.1 billion, down 3% from $1.2 billion in 2025. Earnings would have been 36 cents per share for both periods, Publix noted.
Effective May 1, Publix’s stock price increased from $19.65 per share to $20.45 per share. Publix stock is not publicly traded. The company makes it available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of the board of directors.
