Publix reports higher profits

Publix Super Markets Inc. said sales in stores open more than a year dropped 4.7 percent, but profits rose 26 percent to $255 million during the third quarter. The Lakeland chain credited store growth for a 0.6 percent increase in overall sales to $5.8 billion. The company's privately traded stock was priced at $16.30 a share, up 25 cents.