Cincinnati ? Supermarket giant Kroger Co. reported Tuesday that its third-quarter earnings increased more than 29 percent, but still fell short of Wall Street expectations. Its shares rose more than 1 percent.

Kroger said it earned $142.7 million, or 19 cents a share, for the three months ended Nov. 6, compared to $110.2 million, or 15 cents a share, a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call expected a profit of 23 cents per share.

Sales for the latest quarter rose 6 percent to $12.9 billion, up from $12.1 billion a year ago.

Kroger grocery sales are only topped in the United States by those at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Kroger is the parent company of Dillon Cos. Inc., which owns four stores in Lawrence.

On the New York Stock Exchange, Kroger shares rose 23 cents to close Tuesday at $16.23. The stock price has ranged between $14.65 and $19.67 during the past year.