Fourth Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increased 3.4 Percent
Sales for the quarter ended
Lowe's fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest the end of January; therefore, fiscal year 2011 included 53 weeks. The 53rd week contributed
Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter increased 3.4 percent versus a comparable 14-week period, while comparable store sales for the U.S. business increased 3.5 percent. Comparable store sales for the fiscal year were essentially flat.
Included in the above reported results are charges related to previously announced store closings, discontinued projects and long-lived asset impairments which, in the aggregate, reduced pre-tax earnings for the fourth quarter by
"We delivered solid results for the quarter, including earnings per share that exceeded our guidance," commented
"In 2012, we will capitalize on refinements we have made to our operating strategies as well as our efforts to improve the customer experience," Niblock added. "The team is well positioned to drive stronger comparable store sales growth and expanded operating margins."
As of
A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2011 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 100 basis points.
-- Depreciation expense is expected to be approximately $1.5 billion .
-- The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 38.1%.
-- Diluted earnings per share of $1.75 to $1.85 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 and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Act. Although the company believes that the expectations, opinions, projections, and comments reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it 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 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 falling 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 and develop and implement new business concepts to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vi) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (vii) 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 (viii) 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 in 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
In Millions,
Except Per
Share Data
Three Months Ended(1) Year Ended(1)
----------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
February 3, 2012 January 28, 2011 February 3, 2012 January 28, 2011
Current Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
Earnings
-------------- - - - -------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------
Net sales $ 11,629 100.00 $ 10,480 100.00 $ 50,208 100.00 $ 48,815 100.00
Cost of sales 7,650 65.78 6,754 64.45 32,858 65.44 31,663 64.86
Gross margin 3,979 34.22 3,726 35.55 17,350 34.56 17,152 35.14
Expenses:
Selling,
general and
administrative 3,009 25.88 2,792 26.64 12,593 25.08 12,006 24.60
Depreciation 383 3.29 392 3.74 1,480 2.95 1,586 3.25
Interest - net 102 0.88 86 0.82 371 0.74 332 0.68
Total expenses 3,494 30.05 3,270 31.20 14,444 28.77 13,924 28.53
Pre-tax
earnings 485 4.17 456 4.35 2,906 5.79 3,228 6.61
Income tax
provision 163 1.40 171 1.63 1,067 2.13 1,218 2.49
Net earnings $ 322 2.77 $ 285 2.72 $ 1,839 3.66 $ 2,010 4.12
-------------- - - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- -------
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding - basic 1,239 1,358 1,271 1,401
Basic earnings
per common
share(2) $ 0.26 $ 0.21 $ 1.43 $ 1.42
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding -
diluted 1,241 1,361 1,273 1,403
Diluted
earnings per
common share
(2) $ 0.26 $ 0.21 $ 1.43 $ 1.42
Cash dividends
per share $ 0.14 $ 0.11 $ 0.53 $ 0.42
-------------- - - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- -------
Retained
Earnings
-------------- - - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- ------ - - -------- -------
Balance at
beginning of
period $ 16,109 $ 18,144 $ 17,371 $ 18,307
Net earnings 322 285 1,839 2,010
Cash dividends (174 ) (148 ) (672 ) (588 )
Share
repurchases (405 ) (910 ) (2,686 ) (2,358 )
Balance at end
of period $ 15,852 $ 17,371 $ 15,852 $ 17,371
-------------- - - - ------ - ------ - - ------ - ------ - - ------ - ------ - - ------ - -------
(1) The fiscal year and three months ended February 3, 2012 , had 53 weeks and 14 weeks,
respectively. The fiscal year and three months ended January 28, 2011 , had 52 weeks and 13 weeks,
respectively.
(2)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 $320 million for the three months ended February 3, 2012 and
$283 million for the three months ended January 28, 2011 . Net earnings allocable to common shares
used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $1,824 million for the fiscal
year ended February 3, 2012 and $1,993 million for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2011 .
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
In Millions, Except Par Value Data
------------------------------------------- ----- - ---------------- - - ----------------
(Unaudited)
February 3, 2012 January 28, 2011
---------------- ----------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,014 $ 652
Short-term investments 286 471
Merchandise inventory - net 8,355 8,321
Deferred income taxes - net 183 193
Other current assets 234 330
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total current assets 10,072 9,967
Property, less accumulated depreciation 21,970 22,089
Long-term investments 504 1,008
Other assets 1,013 635
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total assets $ 33,559 $ 33,699
- ---------------- - ----------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 592 $ 36
Accounts payable 4,352 4,351
Accrued compensation and employee benefits 613 667
Deferred revenue 801 707
Other current liabilities 1,533 1,358
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total current liabilities 7,891 7,119
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 7,035 6,537
Deferred income taxes - net 531 467
Deferred revenue - extended protection plans 704 631
Other liabilities 865 833
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total liabilities 17,026 15,587
- ---------------- - ----------------
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued - -
Common stock - $.50 par value;
Shares issued and outstanding
February 3, 2012 1,241
January 28, 2011 1,354 621 677
Capital in excess of par value 14 11
Retained earnings 15,852 17,371
Accumulated other comprehensive income 46 53
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total shareholders' equity 16,533 18,112
- ---------------- - ----------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 33,559 $ 33,699
- ---------------- - ----------------
------------------------------------------------- - ---------------- - - ----------------
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
In Millions
-------------------------------------------------- - ---------- - ----------
Year Ended
(Unaudited)
February January
3, 2012 28, 2011
---------- - ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 1,839 $ 2,010
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,579 1,684
Deferred income taxes 54 (133 )
Loss on property and other assets - net 456 103
Share-based payment expense 107 115
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory - net (33 ) (64 )
Other operating assets 137 (142 )
Accounts payable (5 ) 60
Other operating liabilities 215 219
Net cash provided by operating activities 4,349 3,852
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments (1,433 ) (2,605 )
Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments 2,120 1,822
Property acquired (1,829 ) (1,329 )
Change in equity method investments - net (232 ) (83 )
Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term
assets 52 25
Other - net (115 ) (14 )
Net cash used in investing activities (1,437 ) (2,184 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 993 1,985
Repayment of long-term debt (37 ) (552 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under
share-based payment plans 100 104
Cash dividend payments (647 ) (571 )
Repurchase of common stock (2,937 ) (2,618 )
Other - net (21 ) 1
Net cash used in financing activities (2,549 ) (1,651 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1 ) 3
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 362 20
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 652 632
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 1,014 $ 652
-------------------------------------------------- - - ------ - - - ------ -
Source: Lowe's Companies, Inc.