07:19 AM EDT, 08/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Metro (MRU.TO) on Wednesday said third-quarter adjusted earnings and sales advanced, but missed estimates.

Adjusted net earnings, which excludes most one-time items, rose 8.8% to $331.8 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, from $305 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The result missed the consensus analyst estimate of $1.53 per share, according to FactSet.

Quarterly sales increased 3.3% to $6.87 billion, missing the $6.92 billion forecast. Food same-store sales were up 1.9%. Pharmacy same-store sales were up 5.5%, with a 6.2% increase in prescription drugs and a 4% increase in front-store sales.

The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share.

"We are pleased with our results in the third quarter, marked by solid comparable sales growth in food and pharmacy, and good cost control. We successfully opened five new food stores in the quarter, a pace that will continue in the fourth quarter, on track with our plan to accelerate the development of our growing discount banners," said Eric La Fleche, president and chief executive officer.