Casey's General Stores Inc. yesterday announced that in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2012, which ended April 30, it posted earnings per share of 61 cents, 1 cent higher than the same period last year.

Earnings per share were $3.07 for the entire fiscal year, compared with $2.24 in 2011. Gasoline sales rose 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, and grocery and other merchandise sales increased by 8.5 percent, according to a release.

The Ankeny-based convenience store chain also achieved its goal of increasing its number of stores by 4 to 6 percent, by adding 35 stores and constructing 30 new stores, bringing the total number of stores it operates to 1,699. Casey's plans to open stores in two additional states -- Kentucky and Tennessee -- in fiscal year 2013, and plans to again increase its store count by 4 to 6 percent.