United Foods Barrels Ahead

United Foods Barrels Ahead

DAYVILLE, Conn.Sizeablesecond quarter gains by United Natural Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:UNFI) were marredslightly by fuel costs, the closing of its Minnesota facility and theintegration of recently acquired Select Nutrition. Revenues for the periodjumped 28 percent to $504.7 million, and earnings, excluding the facilityclosing costs, rose 32 percent to $9.4 million or $0.23 per share compared tothe same quarter last year. Rising fuel costs sliced $0.02 per share off thebottom line, while Select Nutrition reduced income by a mere $0.004 per share.

Labor costs associated with the second quarter closing of thecompanys Mounds View, Minn. facility levied a $.22 million or $0.01 per sharecharge to earnings. Company management highlighted strong yearover- year growthin sales to independents, conventional mass market and supernaturals.