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Exhibit 99.1
LOWE'S LOGO

May 22, 2013
For 6:00 am ET Release

                                                                                              
 
 Contacts:  Shareholders’/Analysts’ Inquiries:    Media Inquiries:
  Tiffany Mason   Chris Ahearn
  704-758-2033   704-758-2304
  tiffany.l.mason@lowes.com    chris.c.ahearn@lowes.com 
 
                                                                      
LOWE’S REPORTS FIRST QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS RESULTS

MOORESVILLE, N.C.  – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, today reported net earnings of $540 million for the quarter ended May 3, 2013, a 2.5 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 14.0 percent to $0.49 from $0.43 in the first quarter of 2012.

Sales for the quarter decreased 0.5 percent to $13.1 billion from $13.2 billion in the first quarter of 2012, while comparable sales for the quarter decreased 0.7 percent.

“Results for indoor categories were solid for the quarter, a testament to the team’s continued focus on improving our core business through cross-functional collaboration and consistent execution in stores and across other selling channels,” commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO.

“Cooler than normal temperatures and greater precipitation resulted in a delayed spring selling season which impacted our results in exterior categories,” Niblock added.  “While overall performance in the month of March was particularly soft, April improved significantly and we have maintained that positive momentum through the first few weeks of May.”

Delivering on the commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $1.0 billion of stock and paid $178 million in dividends in the first quarter of 2013.

As of May 3, 2013, Lowe’s operated 1,755 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico, representing 197.5 million square feet of retail selling space.

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2013 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, May 22) 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 First 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 August 20, 2013.

 
 

 
 
 Lowe’s Business Outlook
 
Fiscal Year 2013 (comparisons to fiscal year 2012; based on U.S. GAAP unless otherwise noted)
·  
Total sales are expected to increase approximately 4 percent.
·  
Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 3.5 percent.
·  
The company expects to open approximately 10 stores in fiscal year 2013.
·  
Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating margin) are expected to increase approximately 60 basis points.
·  
The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 38.1%.
·  
Diluted earnings per share of approximately $2.05 are expected for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2014.

 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, 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) 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 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.

 
 

 

 

With fiscal year 2012 sales of $50.5 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,750 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
 
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Lowe's Companies, Inc.
                 
Consolidated Statements of Current and Retained Earnings (Unaudited)
             
In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data
               
                   
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
May 3, 2013
 
May 4, 2012
 
Current Earnings
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Net sales
  $ 13,088     100.00   $ 13,153     100.00  
                           
Cost of sales
    8,533     65.20     8,589     65.30  
                           
Gross margin
    4,555     34.80     4,564     34.70  
                           
Expenses:
                         
                           
Selling, general and administrative
    3,222     24.62     3,241     24.65  
                           
Depreciation
    352     2.69     370     2.81  
                           
Interest - net
    113     0.86     103     0.78  
                           
Total expenses
    3,687     28.17     3,714     28.24  
                           
Pre-tax earnings
    868     6.63     850     6.46  
                           
Income tax provision
    328     2.50     323     2.45  
                           
Net earnings
  $ 540     4.13   $ 527     4.01  
                           
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    1,088           1,206        
                           
Basic earnings per common share (1)
  $ 0.49         $ 0.43        
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    1,090           1,208        
                           
Diluted earnings per common share (1)
  $ 0.49         $ 0.43        
                           
Cash dividends per share
  $ 0.16         $ 0.14        
                           
                           
Retained Earnings
                         
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 13,224         $ 15,852        
Net earnings
    540           527        
Cash dividends
    (174 )         (165 )      
Share repurchases
    (972 )         (1,657 )      
Balance at end of period
  $ 12,618         $ 14,557        
                           
                           
                           
(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 $537 million for the three months ended May 3, 2013 and $524 million for the three months ended May 4, 2012.
 
                           
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
                         
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
                   
In Millions, Except Percentage Data
                     
                           
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
May 3,2013
 
May 4, 2012
 
   
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Net earnings
  $ 540     4.13   $ 527     4.01  
                           
Foreign currency translation adjustments - net of tax
    -     -     6     0.05  
                           
Net unrealized investment gains - net of tax
    -     -     -     -  
                           
Other comprehensive income
    -     -     6     0.05  
                           
Comprehensive income
  $ 540     4.13   $ 533     4.06  

 
 

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.
                   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
                   
In Millions, Except Par Value Data
                   
                     
     
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
     
May 3, 2013
   
May 4, 2012
   
February 1, 2013
 
Assets
                   
                     
Current assets:
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
    $ 1,081     $ 3,072     $ 541  
Short-term investments
      118       161       125  
Merchandise inventory - net
      10,274       9,786       8,600  
Deferred income taxes - net
      228       279       217  
Other current assets
      313       330       301  
                           
Total current assets
      12,014       13,628       9,784  
                           
Property, less accumulated depreciation
      21,257       21,821       21,477  
Long-term investments
      272       710       271  
Other assets
      1,188       1,049       1,134  
                           
Total assets
    $ 34,731     $ 37,208     $ 32,666  
                           
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
                         
                           
Current liabilities:
                         
Current maturities of long-term debt
    $ 47     $ 593     $ 47  
Accounts payable
      7,041       6,977       4,657  
Accrued compensation and employee benefits
    467       492       670  
Deferred revenue
      1,008       881       824  
Other current liabilities
      1,876       2,053       1,510  
                           
Total current liabilities
      10,439       10,996       7,708  
                           
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
    9,026       9,018       9,030  
Deferred income taxes - net
      440       412       455  
Deferred revenue - extended protection plans
    717       716       715  
Other liabilities
      857       863       901  
                           
Total liabilities
      21,479       22,005       18,809  
                           
Shareholders' equity:
                         
Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued
      -       -       -  
Common stock - $.50 par value;
                         
Shares issued and outstanding
                         
May 3, 2013
1,088                        
May 4, 2012
1,187                        
February 1, 2013
1,110     544       594       555  
Capital in excess of par value
      38       -       26  
Retained earnings
      12,618       14,557       13,224  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
      52       52       52  
                           
Total shareholders' equity
      13,252       15,203       13,857  
                           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 34,731     $ 37,208     $ 32,666  
                           

 
 

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.             
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
           
In Millions
           
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
May 3, 2013
   
May 4, 2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 540     $ 527  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    376       396  
Deferred income taxes
    (26 )     (230 )
Loss on property and other assets - net
    5       19  
Loss on equity method investments
    15       15  
Share-based payment expense
    18       25  
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Merchandise inventory - net
    (1,674 )     (1,432 )
Other operating assets
    (5 )     (65 )
Accounts payable
    2,381       2,625  
Other operating liabilities
    362       587  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,992       2,467  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of investments
    (84 )     (708 )
Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments
    89       627  
Capital expenditures
    (196 )     (337 )
Contributions to equity method investments - net
    (73 )     (70 )
Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets
    6       29  
Other - net
    (5 )     (11 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (263 )     (470 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    -       1,984  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (11 )     (10 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based payment plans
    40       53  
Cash dividend payments
    (178 )     (174 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (1,046 )     (1,789 )
Other - net
    5       (4 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (1,190 )     60  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    1       1  
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    540       2,058  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    541       1,014  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 1,081     $ 3,072