Lowe's Reports Fourth Quarter Sales And Earnings Results

Lowe's Reports Fourth Quarter Sales And Earnings Results-- Comparable Sales Increased 5.1 Percent for the Fourth Quarter ---- Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.74 for the Fourth Quarter ---- Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(1) of $0.86 for the Fourth Quarter --

MOORESVILLE, N.C., March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today reported net earnings of $663 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.74 for the quarter ended February 3, 2017 compared to net earnings of $11 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.01 in the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding certain items described below, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 45.8 percent to $0.86 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $0.59 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The items referenced above for the fourth quarter consisted of the following:

  • $0.06 per share for severance-related costs associated with the company's productivity efforts;
  • $0.04 per share for a tax charge primarily related to the issuance of final Internal Revenue Code Section 987 regulations in December 2016; and
  • $0.02 per share for the premium paid to acquire the outstanding RONA preferred shares.

For the fiscal year ended February 3, 2017, net earnings were $3.1 billion and diluted earnings per share were $3.47 compared to net earnings of $2.5 billion and diluted earnings per share of $2.73 in fiscal 2015.  Excluding certain items described herein, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 21.3 percent to $3.99 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $3.29 in fiscal 2015.

In addition to the items referenced above, the fiscal year also included the following:

  • $0.05 per share for the net gain on the settlement of a foreign currency hedge entered into in advance of the company's acquisition of RONA in the first half of the year;
  • $0.33 per share for a charge related to the joint venture with Woolworths in Australia recognized in the third quarter;
  • $0.07 per share for project write-offs recognized in the third quarter that were canceled as a part of the company's ongoing review of strategic initiatives in an effort to focus on the critical projects that will drive desired outcomes; and
  • $0.05 per share for goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges associated with the company's Orchard Supply Hardware operations as part of a strategic reassessment of this business during the third quarter.

1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation" section of this release for additional information as well as reconciliations between the company's GAAP and non-GAAP financial results. 

Sales for the fourth quarter increased 19.2 percent to $15.8 billion from $13.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015, and comparable sales increased 5.1 percent. For the fiscal year, sales were $65.0 billion, a 10.1 percent increase over the same period a year ago, and comparable sales increased 4.2 percent. Comparable sales for the U.S. business increased 5.1 percent for the fourth quarter and 4.1 percent for the fiscal year.

"We achieved strong fourth quarter results, delivering comparable sales growth and adjusted earnings per share above our expectations," commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. "We leveraged our omni-channel platform, customer experience design capabilities, and project expertise to drive strong holiday performance and capitalize on broad-based project demand throughout the quarter.  Our success is a testament to our employees and I'd like to thank them for their dedication and purposeful commitment to serving the evolving needs of customers.

"We've entered 2017 well-positioned to capitalize on a favorable macroeconomic backdrop for home improvement by continuing to execute on our strategies to expand customer reach and develop capabilities to anticipate and support their needs. We remain committed to making productivity a core strength and investing in future capabilities that will add the most value for customers. We have the vision, the drive, the plan, and the leadership team to deliver long-term value for customer and shareholders," Niblock added.

Delivering on its commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $551 million of stock under its share repurchase program and paid $306 million in dividends in the fourth quarter. For the fiscal year, the company repurchased $3.5 billion of stock under its share repurchase program and paid $1.1 billion in dividends.

As of February 3, 2017, Lowe's operated 2,129 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 213.4 million square feet of retail selling space.

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2016 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, March 1) at 9:00 am ET.  The conference call will be available by webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe's website at www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Lowe's Fourth Quarter 2016 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 23, 2017.

Lowe's Business Outlook

Fiscal Year 2017 -- a 52-week Year (comparisons to fiscal year 2016 -- a 53-week year; based on U.S. GAAP) 

  • Total sales are expected to increase approximately 5 percent
  • Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 3.5 percent
  • The company expects to add approximately 35 home improvement and hardware stores.
  • Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating margin) are expected to increase approximately 120 basis points2.
  • The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 37.8%.
  • Diluted earnings per share of approximately $4.64 are expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2018

2 Includes the net gain on the settlement of the foreign currency hedge entered into in advance of the company's acquisition of RONA (1Q 2016 and 2Q 2016) and the impact of the non-cash charge associated with the  joint venture with Woolworths in Australia (3Q2016), the project write-offs that were a part of the ongoing review of the company's strategic initiatives (3Q2016) , the goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges associated with the company's Orchard Supply Hardware operations (3Q2016), as well as severance-related costs associated with the company's productivity efforts (4Q 2016).

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "desire", "project", "estimate", "intend", "will", "should", "could", "would", "may", "strategy", "potential", "opportunity" and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe's plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, 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, Lowe's strategic initiatives, including those regarding the acquisition by Lowe's Companies, Inc. of RONA, inc. and the expected impact of the transaction on Lowe's strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts.  Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. 

A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, such as a demographic shift from single family to multi-family housing, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (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 from data security breaches and other cyber threats; (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; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third party installers. In addition, we could experience impairment losses if either 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, or we are required to reduce the carrying amount of our investment in certain unconsolidated entities that are accounted for under the equity method. With respect to the acquisition of RONA inc., potential risks include the effect of the transaction on Lowe's and RONA's strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, IT and others systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; increasing the scope geographic diversity and complexity of our operations; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; and failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements 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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. 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, except as may be required by law.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,375 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 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.

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

                           

Consolidated Statements of Current and Retained Earnings 

                 

In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data

                   
                         
       

Three months ended

   

Year ended

       

(Unaudited)

   

(Unaudited)

   

(Unaudited)

       
       

February 3, 2017

   

January 29, 2016

   

February 3, 2017

   

January 29, 2016

Current Earnings

     

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

Net sales

   

$

15,784

100.00

 

$

13,236

100.00

 

$

65,017

100.00

 

$

59,074

100.00

                                   

Cost of sales

     

10,352

65.59

   

8,648

65.34

   

42,553

65.45

   

38,504

65.18

                                   

Gross margin

     

5,432

34.41

   

4,588

34.66

   

22,464

34.55

   

20,570

34.82

                                   

Expenses:

                                 
                                   

Selling, general and administrative

     

3,789

23.99

   

3,777

28.54

   

15,129

23.27

   

14,105

23.88

                                   

Depreciation and amortization

     

374

2.37

   

372

2.81

   

1,489

2.29

   

1,494

2.53

                                   

Operating income

     

1,269

8.05

   

439

3.31

   

5,846

8.99

   

4,971

8.41

                                   

Interest - net

     

159

1.01

   

144

1.08

   

645

0.99

   

552

0.93

                                   

Pre-tax earnings 

     

1,110

7.04

   

295

2.23

   

5,201

8.00

   

4,419

7.48

                                   

Income tax provision 

     

447

2.84

   

284

2.14

   

2,108

3.24

   

1,873

3.17

                                   

Net earnings

   

$

663

4.20

 

$

11

0.09

 

$

3,093

4.76

 

$

2,546

4.31

                                   
                                   

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

     

867

     

910

     

880

     

927

 
                                   

Basic earnings per common share (1)

   

$

0.74

   

$

0.01

   

$

3.48

   

$

2.73

 
                                   

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

     

868

     

912

     

881

     

929

 
                                   

Diluted earnings per common share (1)

   

$

0.74

   

$

0.01

   

$

3.47

   

$

2.73

 
                                   

Cash dividends per share

   

$

0.35

   

$

0.28

   

$

1.33

   

$

1.07

 
                                   
                                   

Retained Earnings

                                 

Balance at beginning of period

   

$

6,376

   

$

8,298

   

$

7,593

   

$

9,591

 

Net earnings attributable to Lowe's Companies, Inc.

     

663

     

11

     

3,091

     

2,546

 

Cash dividends

     

(304)

     

(255)

     

(1,169)

     

(991)

 

Share repurchases

     

(494)

     

(461)

     

(3,274)

     

(3,553)

 

Balance at end of period

   

$

6,241

   

$

7,593

   

$

6,241

   

$

7,593

 
                                   
                                   

(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 $643 million for the three months ended February 3, 2017 and $10 million for the three months ended January 29, 2016.  Net earnings allocable to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $3,062 million for the year ended February 3, 2017 and $2,534 million for the year ended January 29, 2016.

                                   
                                   
                                   

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

                             

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 

                               

In Millions, Except Percentage Data

                             
                                   
       

Three months ended

   

Year ended

       

 (Unaudited) 

   

 (Unaudited) 

   

 (Unaudited) 

       
       

February 3, 2017

   

January 29, 2016

   

February 3, 2017

   

January 29, 2016

       

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

   

 Amount 

% Sales

Net earnings

   

$

663

4.20

 

$

11

0.09

 

$

3,093

4.76

 

$

2,546

4.31

                                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments - net of tax

     

(27)

(0.17)

   

(15)

(0.11)

   

154

0.23

   

(291)

(0.49)

                                   

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

     

(27)

(0.17)

   

(15)

(0.11)

   

154

0.23

   

(291)

(0.49)

                                   

Comprehensive income/(loss)

   

$

636

4.03

 

$

(4)

(0.02)

 

$

3,247

4.99

 

$

2,255

3.82

                                   

 

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

             

Consolidated Balance Sheets

             

In Millions, Except Par Value Data

             
               
     

 (Unaudited) 

       
     

February 3, 2017

   

January 29, 2016

 

Assets

             
               

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

558

 

$

405

 

Short-term investments 

   

100

   

307

 

Merchandise inventory - net

   

10,458

   

9,458

 

Other current assets

   

884

   

391

 
               

Total current assets

   

12,000

   

10,561

 
               

Property, less accumulated depreciation  

   

19,949

   

19,577

 

Long-term investments 

   

366

   

222

 

Deferred income taxes - net

   

222

   

241

 

Goodwill

   

1,082

   

154

 

Other assets

   

789

   

511

 
               

Total assets

 

$

34,408

 

$

31,266

 
               

Liabilities and equity

             
               

Current liabilities:

             

Short-term borrowings

 

$

510

 

$

43

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

   

795

   

1,061

 

Accounts payable

   

6,651

   

5,633

 

Accrued compensation and employee benefits 

   

790

   

820

 

Deferred revenue

   

1,253

   

1,078

 

Other current liabilities

   

1,975

   

1,857

 
               

Total current liabilities

   

11,974

   

10,492

 
               

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 

   

14,394

   

11,545

 

Deferred revenue - extended protection plans

   

763

   

729

 

Other liabilities 

   

843

   

846

 
               

Total liabilities

   

27,974

   

23,612

 
               

Equity:

             

Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued

   

-

   

-

 

Common stock - $0.50 par value; 

             

Shares issued and outstanding

             

February 3, 2017

866

           

January 29, 2016

910

 

433

   

455

 

Capital in excess of par value

   

-

   

-

 

Retained earnings

   

6,241

   

7,593

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   

(240)

   

(394)

 
               

Total equity

   

6,434

   

7,654

 
               

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

34,408

 

$

31,266

 
               
               

 

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

       

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

       

In Millions

       
         
   

Year Ended

   

(Unaudited)

   
   

February 3, 2017

 

January 29, 2016

Cash flows from operating activities:

       

Net earnings 

 

$                       3,093

 

$                      2,546

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by

       

operating activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,590

 

1,587

Deferred income taxes

 

28

 

(68)

Loss on property and other assets - net

 

143

 

30

Loss on cost method and equity method investments

 

302

 

594

Share-based payment expense

 

90

 

117

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

       

Merchandise inventory - net

 

(178)

 

(582)

Other operating assets

 

(183)

 

(34)

Accounts payable 

 

653

 

524

Other operating liabilities

 

79

 

70

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

5,617

 

4,784

         

Cash flows from investing activities:

       

Purchases of investments

 

(1,192)

 

(934)

Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments

 

1,254

 

884

Capital expenditures

 

(1,167)

 

(1,197)

Contributions to equity method investments - net

 

-

 

(125)

Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets

 

37

 

57

Purchases of derivative instruments

 

(103)

 

-

Proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments

 

179

 

-

Acquisition of business - net

 

(2,356)

 

-

Other - net

 

(13)

 

(28)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,361)

 

(1,343)

         

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

Net change in short-term borrowings

 

466

 

43

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

3,267

 

1,718

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(1,173)

 

(552)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under
   share-based payment plans

 

139

 

125

Cash dividend payments

 

(1,121)

 

(957)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(3,595)

 

(3,925)

Other - net

 

(75)

 

55

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(2,092)

 

(3,493)

         

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(11)

 

(9)

         

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

153

 

(61)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

405

 

466

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$                         558

 

$                       405

         

 

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

                       

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

                         

To provide additional transparency, the company has presented non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted earnings per share to exclude the impact of certain discrete items, as further described in the related earnings release, not contemplated in Lowe's Business Outlook for 2016 to assist the user in understanding performance relative to that Business Outlook.  The company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful insight for analysts and investors in evaluating what management considers the company's core financial performance.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful indicator of, the company's diluted earnings per common share as prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company's methods of determining this non-GAAP financial measure may differ from the method used by other companies for this or similar non-GAAP financial measures. Accordingly, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to the measures used by other companies.

Detailed reconciliations between the company's GAAP and non-GAAP financial results are shown below and available on the company's website at www.lowes.com/investor.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                           
   

Three Months Ended

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 
   

February 3, 2017

 

January 29, 2016

 
 

 Pre-Tax
Earnings

 

 Tax

 

 Net Earnings

 

 Pre-Tax
Earnings

 

 Tax

 

 Net Earnings

 
                           

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

         

$          0.74

         

$          0.01

 
                           

Non-GAAP Adjustments - per share impacts

                         
                           

Severance-related costs

 

0.10

 

(0.04)

 

0.06

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

IRC Section 987 charge

 

-

 

0.04

 

0.04

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Premium on RONA Preferred Shares1

 

-

 

-

 

0.02

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Australian joint venture impairment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

0.58

 

-

 

0.58

 
                           

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

         

$          0.86

         

$          0.59

 
                           
                           
                           
   

Year Ended

 
   

(Unaudited)

             
   

February 3, 2017

 

January 29, 2016

 
 

 Pre-Tax
Earnings

 

 Tax

 

 Net Earnings

 

 Pre-Tax
Earnings

 

 Tax

 

 Net Earnings

 
                           

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

         

$          3.47

         

$          2.73

 
                           

Non-GAAP Adjustments - per share impacts

                         
                           

Severance-related costs

 

0.09

 

(0.03)

 

0.06

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

IRC Section 987 charge

 

-

 

0.04

 

0.04

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Premium on RONA Preferred Shares1

 

-

 

-

 

0.02

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Net gain on foreign currency hedge

 

(0.09)

 

0.04

 

(0.05)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Australian joint venture impairment

 

0.33

 

-

 

0.33

 

0.56

 

-

 

0.56

 
                           

Project write-offs

 

0.11

 

(0.04)

 

0.07

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Orchard Supply Hardware goodwill and long-lived asset impairment

 

0.08

 

(0.03)

 

0.05

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
                           

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

         

$          3.99

         

$          3.29

 
                           
                           

1 Under the two-class method, the premium paid to redeem the RONA preferred shares was deducted from net earnings to compute net earnings allocable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lowes-reports-fourth-quarter-sales-and-earnings-results-300415443.html

SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.