albertsons cos inc on tuesday posted betterthanexpected sales and earnings in the fiscal third quarter with higher pricing and covid19 vaccination efforts contributing to the companys latest results the boise idahobased supermarket company posted earnings of 74 cents a share for the fiscal third quarter a rise from 20 cents a share in the same threemonth period a year earlier net income climbed to 4245 million up from 1237 million stripping out onetime items albertsons adjusted earnings were 79 cents a share analysts surveyed by factset had forecast adjusted earnings of 59 cents a share sales climbed to 1673 billion up from 1541 billion in the yearago quarter analysts were expecting revenue of 1606 billion inflation in retail prices and incremental sales related to covid19 vaccination both drove part of the yearoveryear sales growth albertsons said excluding fuel gross margins grew by 01 due to productivity initiatives and better pharmacy margins