Metro Inc. announced consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended December 22, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported sales of $2,704.7 million against $2,632.6 million for the same period a year ago. Net earnings from continuing operations were $115.0 million against $103.6 million for the same period a year ago. Net earnings were $121.4 million or $1.23 diluted per share against $103.7 million or $1.01 diluted per share for the same period a year ago. EBITDA was $188.2 million against $179.5 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in EBITDA was a result of good cost control, lower shrink and Adonis. Adjusted EBITDA was $221.3 million against $187.3 million for the same period a year ago. Fully diluted net earnings from continuing operations were $1.16 for the first quarter compared to $1.01 last year, that's an increase of 14.9%. Sales reached $2.7 billion compared to $2.6 billion last year, an increase of 2.7%. Same-store sales during the quarter were up 1.5%, and inflation in the first quarter 2013. First quarter sales were positively impacted due to the Christmas period shift.

During the first quarter of 2013, the company and its retailers invested $62.6 million in retail network for a gross expansion of 166,000 square feet and a net expansion of 93,000 square feet or 0.5%. The company opened 4 new stores, including replacement. The company expects to invest about $250 million in the network during fiscal 2013.