Albertson’s Posts Stronger Earnings

Albertson’s Inc. reported a 14 percent increase in fourth-quarter profits.

The food and drug chain cited its cost-control program in reporting fourth-quarter earnings of $144.5 million, or 57 cents a share, compared to $127 million, or 50 cents a share, a year earlier.

For the entire year, profits rose 18 percent to $400.4 million, or $1.58 a share, vs. $339.7 million, or $1.34 a share, a year earlier.