The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Alimentation Couche-Tard earned $442.3-million during the fourth quarter, down from $454.5-million during the same quarter last year (all figures U.S.). A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says the Laval, Que., company reported that net earnings attributable to shareholders came in at $439.4-million during the quarter, compared with $453-million during the same period last year. Earnings per diluted share came in at 46 cents during the fourth quarter, compared with 47 cents during the same period last year, while revenue came in at $16.3-billion, down 7.5 per cent on an annual basis. The company said in a release that the decline in revenue was owing partly to softer fuel demand in the United States. Couche-Tard chief executive officer Alex Miller said the company held the line on U.S. same-store sales amid economic and geopolitical challenges. He added it also saw strong positive results for same-store sales in Canada and Europe. Couche-Tard closed Wednesday at $68.81 (Canadian), down $2.01 (Canadian) on the Toronto Stock Exchange.