Lowe's Reports Fourth Quarter Sales And Earnings Results

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today reported net earnings of $306 million for the quarter ended January 31, 2014, a 6.3 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 11.5 percent to $0.29 from $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2012.  For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, net earnings increased 16.7 percent to $2.3 billion and diluted earnings per share increased 26.6 percent to $2.14. 

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Included in the above reported results are charges related to long-lived asset impairments which reduced pre-tax earnings for the fourth quarter by $32 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.02.  For the same period a year ago, reported results included charges related to long-lived asset impairments and discontinued projects which reduced pre-tax earnings by $8 million and had an insignificant impact on diluted earnings per share.  

Sales for the fourth quarter increased 5.6 percent to $11.7 billion from $11.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, and comparable sales increased 3.9 percent.  For the fiscal year, sales were $53.4 billion, a 5.7 percent increase over fiscal year 2012, and comparable sales increased 4.8 percent.

"I am pleased with the progress we made throughout 2013, and would like to thank our employees.  They have shown unrelenting determination to provide outstanding service to customers every day in each market we serve, as we transform our company," commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO.  

"During the quarter, we delivered solid performance in core home improvement categories, balancing softer sales of seasonal gifts and holiday decorations.  When extreme winter weather arrived late in the quarter, our distribution network responded quickly and efficiently to move product where it was most needed," Niblock added.

Delivering on the commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $958 million of stock and paid $189 million in dividends in the fourth quarter.  For the fiscal year, the company repurchased $3.7 billion of stock and paid $733 million in dividends. 

To further deliver on this commitment, the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional $5 billion of the company's common stock.  The remaining balance of $1.3 billion under the previous authorization will continue to be utilized, for a total authorization of $6.3 billion as of January 31, 2014.  This repurchase authorization has no expiration date.  Repurchases will be subject to market conditions and will be made from time to time either in the open market or through private off-market transactions in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company's repurchase program may be suspended, discontinued or resumed at any time. 

As of January 31, 2014, Lowe's operated 1,832 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 200.1 million square feet of retail selling space.

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2013 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, February 26) at 9:00 am ET.  The conference call will be available through a webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe's website at www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Lowe's Fourth Quarter 2013 Earnings Conference Call Webcast.  Supplemental slides will be available fifteen minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the call will be archived on Lowes.com/investor until May 20, 2014.

Lowe's Business Outlook

Fiscal Year 2014 (comparisons to fiscal year 2013; based on U.S. GAAP unless otherwise noted)

• Total sales are expected to increase approximately 5 percent.
• Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 4 percent.
• The company expects to open approximately 15 home improvement and 5 hardware stores.
• Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating margin) are expected to increase approximately 65 basis points.
• The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 38.1%.
• Diluted earnings per share of approximately $2.60 are expected for the fiscal year ending January 30, 2015.

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 sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, 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) 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 United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the description of material changes therein or updated version thereof, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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 SEC and the description of material changes, if any, therein included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE^® 100 home improvement company serving approximately 15 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  With fiscal year 2013 sales of $53.4 billion, Lowe's has more than 1,830 home improvement and hardware stores and 250,000 employees.  Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.