Empire Company Limited reported consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended August 5, 2017. For the period, the company reported sales of $6,273.2 million against $6,186.6 million a year ago. EBITDA was $238.8 million against $238.3 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $278.8 million against $243.1 million a year ago. Operating income was $125.2 against $126.6 million a year ago. Net earnings were $54.0 million against $65.4 million a year ago. Adjusted net earnings were $87.5 million against $73.6 million a year ago. EPS (fully diluted) was $0.20 against $0.24 a year ago. Adjusted EPS (fully diluted) was $0.32 against $0.27 a year ago. EBITDA increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 mainly as a result of the previously mentioned factors affecting sales, partially offset by increases in selling and administrative expenses largely as a result of $40.0 million in one-time Project Sunrise costs. Excluding the effects of these costs, adjusted EBITDA increased by 14.6% to $278.8 million. Book value per common share was $13.57.