Whole Foods fiscal 4Q net income up 31 percent (AP)

ST. LOUIS ? Whole Foods Market Inc. said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit beat expectations as sales rose 12 percent.

The natural and organic grocery store chain said Wednesday its net income rose to $75.5 million, or 42 cents per share, from $57.5 million, or 33 cents per share, last year.

Revenue rose 12 percent to $2.35 billion.

The profits beat analyst expectations for income of 41 cents per share. But revenue was slightly below the $2.36 billion that analysts expected, according to FactSet.

The Austin, Texas-based grocer said it expects to earn between $2.21 and $2.26 per share in fiscal 2012. Analysts were expecting $2.26 per share.

Whole Foods also boosted its dividend and announced a $200 million stock buyback plan.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/earnings/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111102/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_whole_foods

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