US food distributor Sysco Corp’s fourth quarter profit rose 16%, due to operating efficiency and an extra week in the quarter.

The company’s net earnings rose 16.6% to $907.2m (£492.8m) for the full financial year and sales rose 12% to $29.3bn (£15.91bn) for the 53-week financial year ending July 3, 2004.

In comparison, sales for the 52-week financial year ending June 28, 2003 reached $26.1bn (£14.2bn). Adjusted for 52 weeks, sales for 2004 rose 10%.