The Pantry reports net loss in fourth quarter

The Pantry swung to a net loss in the fourth quarter.

Excluding the impact of impairment charges and loss on extinguished debt, the Cary company reported Tuesday a net loss of $2 million, or 9 cents per share, compared with earnings per share of 37 cents during the fourth quarter of 2011.

The consensus among Wall Street analysts who cover the company was earnings per share of 1 cent.

Comparable store merchandise sales at those stores increased 3.3 percent. Gasoline revenues fell. Fuel gross profit was $44 million in the quarter, compared with $64.4 million a year ago.

For the year, the company reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or 11 cents per share, compared to net income of $9.8 million, or 44 cents per share, in 2011.

The Pantry has more than 1,500 stores throughout the Southeast, primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand.