Sales for the quarter increased 7.9 percent to
Lowe's fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest the end of January; therefore, fiscal year 2011 included 53 weeks. The 2012 quarterly comparisons will be impacted by a shift in comparable weeks. The week shift aided the first quarter sales increase by
Included in the above reported results is a charge related to a previously announced reduction in staff at U.S. headquarters. This charge reduced pre-tax earnings for the first quarter by
Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 2.6 percent, while comparable store sales for the U.S. business increased 2.7 percent.
"We delivered solid results for the quarter, consistent with our expectation at the beginning of the year," commented
"We continue to maintain a cautious view of the housing and macro demand environment, and are focused on what we can control," Niblock added. "We are building on our core strengths and strategically investing in ways that will better position Lowe's for success. I would like to express my gratitude to our employees for their continued dedication and customer focus."
As of
A conference call to discuss first quarter 2012 operating results is scheduled for today (
Lowe's Business Outlook
Fiscal Year 2012 - a 52-week Year (comparisons to fiscal year 2011 - a 53-week year)
-- Total sales are expected to increase 1 to 2 percent. On a 52 versus 52
week basis, total sales are expected to increase approximately 3
percent.
-- The company expects comparable store sales to increase 1 to 3 percent
(52 versus 52 week basis).
-- The company expects to open approximately 10 stores in fiscal year 2012.
-- Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating
margin) are expected to increase approximately 90 basis points.
-- Depreciation expense is expected to be approximately $1.5 billion .
-- The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 37.9%.
-- Diluted earnings per share of $1.73 to $1.83 are expected for the fiscal
year ending February 1, 2013 .
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Statements of the company's expectations for sales growth, comparable store sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, store openings, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, the Company's strategic initiatives and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Act. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections, and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as continued high rates of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, higher fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability and increasing regulation of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices and other factors which can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, such as the psychological effects of lower home prices, and in the level of repairs, remodeling, and additions to existing homes, as well as a general reduction in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes designed to enhance our efficiency and competitiveness; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our traditional operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) to maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; and (ix) respond to unanticipated weather conditions that could adversely affect sales. In addition, we could experience additional impairment losses if the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the "Risk Factors" and "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and the "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the
With fiscal year 2011 sales of
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Current and Retained Earnings (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------
May 4, 2012 April 29, 2011
Current Earnings Amount Percent Amount Percent
------------------------------------ - -------- - ------- - -------- - -------
Net sales $ 13,153 100.00 $ 12,185 100.00
Cost of sales 8,589 65.30 7,866 64.56
Gross margin 4,564 34.70 4,319 35.44
Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 3,241 24.65 3,120 25.60
Depreciation 370 2.81 371 3.05
Interest - net 103 0.78 88 0.72
Total expenses 3,714 28.24 3,579 29.37
Pre-tax earnings 850 6.46 740 6.07
Income tax provision 323 2.45 279 2.28
Net earnings $ 527 4.01 $ 461 3.79
------------------------------------ - - ------ - ------- - - ------ - -------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - basic 1,206 1,324
Basic earnings per common share(1) $ 0.43 $ 0.35
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - diluted 1,208 1,328
Diluted earnings per common share(1) $ 0.43 $ 0.34
Cash dividends per share $ 0.14 $ 0.11
------------------------------------ - - ------ - ------- - - ------ - -------
Retained Earnings
------------------------------------ - - ------ - ------- - - ------ - -------
Balance at beginning of period $ 15,852 $ 17,371
Net earnings 527 461
Cash dividends (165 ) (145 )
Share repurchases (1,657 ) (972 )
Balance at end of period $ 14,557 $ 16,715
------------------------------------ - - ------ - ------- - - ------ - -------
(1)Under the two-class method, earnings per share is calculated using net
earnings allocable to common shares, which is derived by reducing net earnings
by the earnings allocable to participating securities. Net earnings allocable
to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation
were $524 million for the three months ended May 4, 2012 , and $458 million for
the three months ended April 29, 2011 .
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Percentage Data
Three Months Ended
------------------------------------ - ---------------------------------------
May 4, 2012 April 29, 2011
Amount Percent Amount Percent
-------- - ------- - -------- - -------
Net earnings $ 527 4.01 $ 461 3.79
Foreign currency translation
adjustments 7 0.05 31 0.25
Net unrealized investment gains - 0.00 1 0.01
Other comprehensive income 7 0.05 32 0.26
Comprehensive income $ 534 4.06 $ 493 4.05
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
In Millions, Except Par Value Data
-------------------------------------------- - ----- - ------ - - ------ - - ------
(Unaudite (Unaudite
d) d)
May 4, April February
2012 29, 2011 3, 2012
-------- -------- --------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,072 $ 1,496 $ 1,014
Short-term investments 161 345 286
Merchandise inventory - net 9,786 9,661 8,355
Deferred income taxes - net 279 232 183
Other current assets 330 239 234
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total current assets 13,628 11,973 10,072
Property, less accumulated depreciation 21,821 22,060 21,970
Long-term investments 710 1,209 504
Other assets 1,049 642 1,013
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total assets $ 37,208 $ 35,884 $ 33,559
- ------ - ------ - ------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 593 $ 38 $ 592
Accounts payable 6,977 6,694 4,352
Accrued compensation and employee benefits 492 557 613
Deferred revenue 881 970 801
Other current liabilities 2,053 1,662 1,533
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total current liabilities 10,996 9,921 7,891
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 9,018 6,538 7,035
Deferred income taxes - net 412 498 531
Deferred revenue - extended protection plans 716 650 704
Other liabilities 863 818 865
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total liabilities 22,005 18,425 17,026
- ------ - ------ - ------
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued - - -
Common stock - $.50 par value;
Shares issued and outstanding
May 4, 2012 1,187
April 29, 2011 1,318
February 3, 2012 1,241 594 659 621
Capital in excess of par value - - 14
Retained earnings 14,557 16,715 15,852
Accumulated other comprehensive income 52 85 46
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total shareholders' equity 15,203 17,459 16,533
- ------ - ------ - ------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 37,208 $ 35,884 $ 33,559
- ------ - ------ - ------
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
In Millions
--------------------------------------------------- - - ------ - - - ------ -
Three Months Ended
May 4, April 29,
2012 2011
---------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 527 $ 461
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 396 397
Deferred income taxes (230 ) (43 )
Loss on property and other assets - net 19 9
Loss on equity method investments 15 2
Share-based payment expense 25 30
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory - net (1,432 ) (1,329 )
Other operating assets (65 ) 104
Accounts payable 2,625 2,339
Other operating liabilities 587 453
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,467 2,423
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments (708 ) (627 )
Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments 627 554
Property acquired (337 ) (313 )
Change in equity method investments - net (70 ) (32 )
Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term
assets 29 5
Other - net (11 ) 2
Net cash used in investing activities (470 ) (411 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,984 -
Repayment of long-term debt (10 ) (9 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under
share-based payment plans 53 15
Cash dividend payments (174 ) (149 )
Repurchase of common stock (1,789 ) (1,031 )
Other - net (4 ) 3
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 60 (1,171 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1 3
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2,058 844
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,014 652
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 3,072 $ 1,496
Source: Lowe's Companies, Inc.