utz brands inc said its firstquarter sales rose as demand for the companys snacks held up even as price increases kicked in the company posted a net loss of 319 million for the three months ended april 3 compared with a loss of 233 million a year earlier the companys loss was 22 cents a share compared with a loss of 30 cents a share a year earlier the loss was driven by a 23 million charge in contract termination costs the company said stripping out acquisitionrelated costs and other onetime charges adjusted earnings were 11 cents a share analysts surveyed by factset expected 9 cents a share net sales rose 27 to 3408 million utz said analysts surveyed by factset expected sales of 3111 million consumer demand for our strong portfolio of brands is at an alltime high and we are incredibly excited about the continued opportunity to improve our market position in key growth channels and geographies in addition as inflation continues to increase we are taking incremental price actions to help offset higher costs and we are encouraged by our continued sales volume increases as price elasticity is better than we anticipated chief executive dylan lissette said write to will feuer at willfeuerwsjcom