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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

 

August 22, 2018    

For 6:00 am ET Release

 

Contacts:    Shareholders’/Analysts’ Inquiries:    Media Inquiries:
  

Tiffany Mason

704-758-2033

tiffany.l.mason@lowes.com

  

Dan Frahm

704-758-2350

daniel.frahm@lowes.com

LOWE’S REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS RESULTS

— Announces Exit of Orchard Supply Hardware —

— Diluted Earnings Per Share of $1.86 —

— Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share1 of $2.07 –

— Updates Fiscal 2018 Business Outlook —

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today reported net earnings of $1.5 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.86 for the quarter ended Aug. 3, 2018, which included non-cash pre-tax charges of $230 million further described below, compared to net earnings of $1.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.68 in the second quarter of 2017. Excluding the impact of these charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 31.8 percent to $2.07 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $1.57 in the second quarter of 2017.

The $230 million non-cash pre-tax charges referenced above resulted from the company’s strategic reassessment of Orchard Supply Hardware, which led to long-lived asset impairments and discontinued projects during the second quarter and a decision by the company on Aug. 17, 2018, to exit these operations in order to focus on its core home improvement business. The company expects to close all 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores, which are located in California, Oregon and Florida, as well as the distribution facility that services those stores by the end of fiscal 2018. To facilitate an orderly wind-down, the company intends to conduct store closing sales and has partnered with Hilco Merchant Services to help manage the process and ensure a seamless experience for customers. Additional pre-tax costs of $390 to $475 million related to lease obligations, accelerated depreciation and amortization, and severance obligations are expected to be incurred in the second half of fiscal 2018, and have been reflected in the company’s updated business outlook.

Sales for the second quarter increased 7.1 percent to $20.9 billion over the second quarter of 2017, and comparable sales increased 5.2 percent. Comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business increased 5.3 percent for the second quarter.

As a result of the new revenue recognition accounting standard ASU No. 2014-09 adopted in the first quarter of 2018, the company reclassified certain items within operating income. This change resulted in an increase to sales of approximately $140 million in the second quarter, driven primarily by the reclassification of the profit sharing income from the company’s proprietary credit program from selling, general and administrative expense. This accounting standard has no impact on comparable sales or diluted earnings per share. It was adopted on a modified retrospective basis, therefore the prior year has not been adjusted.

 

 

 

1 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation” section of this release for additional information as well as a reconciliation between the Company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.


“We posted solid results this quarter by capitalizing on delayed spring demand,” commented Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s president and CEO. “We are committed to driving even stronger performance in the future by sharpening our focus on retail fundamentals and by limiting any projects and initiatives that take us away from our core mission of being a great omni-channel home improvement retailer. I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and commitment to the company.

“While it was a necessary business decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, decisions that impact our people are never easy. We will be providing outplacement services for impacted associates, and they will be given priority status if they choose to apply for other Lowe’s positions,” Ellison added.

“In addition to the decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, we are developing plans to aggressively rationalize store inventory, reducing lower-performing inventory while investing in increased depth of high velocity items. Exiting Orchard Supply Hardware and rationalizing inventory are the driving force behind the changes to Lowe’s Business Outlook.” Ellison continued. “Our strategic reassessment is ongoing as we evaluate the productivity of our real estate portfolio and non-retail business investments. We will update you on the changes to our strategy at the upcoming analyst and investor conference in December.”

Delivering on its commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $1.1 billion of stock under its share repurchase program and paid $338 million in dividends in the second quarter.

As of Aug. 3, 2018, Lowe’s operated 2,155 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 215.3 million square feet of retail selling space.

A conference call to discuss second quarter 2018 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, Aug. 22) 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 Second Quarter 2018 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 November 19, 2018.

Lowe’s Business Outlook

In addition to the decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, the company is developing plans to aggressively rationalize its store inventory, reducing lower-performing inventory while investing in increased depth of high velocity items. Potential impacts of these actions have been reflected in Lowe’s business outlook.

Fiscal Year 2018 (comparisons to fiscal year 2017; based on U.S. GAAP)

 

   

Total sales are expected to increase approximately 4.5 percent.

 

   

Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 3 percent.

 

   

The company expects to add approximately 9 home improvement stores.

 

   

Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) is expected to decrease approximately 180 basis points2, including the $230 million non-cash charges recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and $390 to $475 million in additional costs expected to be incurred in the second half of fiscal 2018 as a result of the decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware.

 

   

The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 25%.

 

   

Diluted earnings per share of $4.50 to $4.60 are expected for the fiscal year ending Feb. 1, 2019.

 

 

 

2 

Includes 4 basis point net negative impact from the gain on the sale of the company’s interest in its Australian joint venture (2Q 2017) and the one-time bonus paid to eligible hourly U.S. employees (4Q 2017).


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 relating to acquisitions and dispositions by Lowe’s and the expected impact of such transactions on our 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, management and key personnel change, 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, 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, and otherwise successfully execute on our strategy and implement our strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and dispositions; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches, ransomware 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 and other charges 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. With respect to acquisitions and dispositions, potential risks include the effect of such transactions on Lowe’s and the target company’s or operating business’s strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; our ability to integrate or divest personnel, labor models, financial, IT and other 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 integration or disposition 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 18 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2017 sales of $68.6 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,390 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 310,000 people. 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 (Unaudited)

In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data

 

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     August 3, 2018      August 4, 2017      August 3, 2018      August 4, 2017  

Current Earnings

   Amount     % Sales      Amount     % Sales      Amount     % Sales      Amount     % Sales  

Net sales

   $ 20,888       100.00      $ 19,495       100.00      $ 38,247       100.00      $ 36,355       100.00  

Cost of sales

     13,689       65.54        12,825       65.79        25,036       65.46        23,885       65.70  

Gross margin

     7,199       34.46        6,670       34.21        13,211       34.54        12,470       34.30  

Expenses:

                   

Selling, general and administrative

     4,691       22.45        3,931       20.16        8,878       23.21        7,807       21.47  

Depreciation and amortization

     345       1.65        357       1.83        705       1.84        722       1.99  

Operating income

     2,163       10.36        2,382       12.22        3,628       9.49        3,941       10.84  

Interest—net

     153       0.74        159       0.81        313       0.82        319       0.87  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         —          —         —          —         —          464       1.28  

Pre-tax earnings

     2,010       9.62        2,223       11.41        3,315       8.67        3,158       8.69  

Income tax provision

     490       2.34        804       4.13        806       2.11        1,137       3.13  

Net earnings

   $ 1,520       7.28      $ 1,419       7.28      $ 2,509       6.56      $ 2,021       5.56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

     813          841          819          849    

Basic earnings per common share (1)

   $ 1.86        $ 1.68        $ 3.05        $ 2.37    

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

     814          842          820          850    

Diluted earnings per common share (1)

   $ 1.86        $ 1.68        $ 3.05        $ 2.37    

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.48        $ 0.41        $ 0.89        $ 0.76    
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Retained Earnings

                   

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 5,405        $ 5,346        $ 5,425        $ 6,241    

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —            —            33          —      

Net earnings

     1,520          1,419          2,509          2,021    

Cash dividends declared

     (390        (344        (728        (643  

Share repurchases

     (1,018        (1,168        (1,722        (2,366  

Balance at end of period

   $ 5,517        $ 5,253        $ 5,517        $ 5,253    
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

(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 $1,515 million for the three months ended August 3, 2018 and $1,413 million for the three months ended August 4, 2017. Net earnings allocable to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $2,500 million for the six months ended August 3, 2018 and $2,013 million for the six months ended August 4, 2017.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

In Millions, Except Percentage Data

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     August 3, 2018     August 4, 2017      August 3, 2018     August 4, 2017  
     Amount     % Sales     Amount      % Sales      Amount     % Sales     Amount      % Sales  

Net earnings

   $ 1,520       7.28     $ 1,419        7.28      $ 2,509       6.56     $ 2,021        5.56  

Foreign currency translation adjustments—net of tax

     (70     (0.34     106        0.54        (154     (0.40     105        0.29  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

     (70     (0.34     106        0.54        (154     (0.40     105        0.29  

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,450       6.94     $ 1,525        7.82      $ 2,355       6.16     $ 2,126        5.85  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 


Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

In Millions, Except Par Value Data

 

 

 

           (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)         
           August 3, 2018      August 4, 2017      February 2, 2018  

Assets

          

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 2,251      $ 1,696      $ 588  

Short-term investments

       391        119        102  

Merchandise inventory—net

       11,885        11,407        11,393  

Other current assets

       956        811        689  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

       15,483        14,033        12,772  

Property, less accumulated depreciation

       19,172        19,762        19,721  

Long-term investments

       87        360        408  

Deferred income taxes—net

       249        328        168  

Goodwill

       1,271        1,255        1,307  

Other assets

       843        930        915  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 37,105      $ 36,668      $ 35,291  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

          

Current liabilities:

          

Short-term borrowings

     $      $      $ 1,137  

Current maturities of long-term debt

       894        296        294  

Accounts payable

       8,984        8,649        6,590  

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

       671        665        747  

Deferred revenue

       1,449        1,450        1,378  

Other current liabilities

       2,583        2,565        1,950  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       14,581        13,625        12,096  

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

       14,937        15,788        15,564  

Deferred revenue—extended protection plans

       828        790        803  

Other liabilities

       978        929        955  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       31,324        31,132        29,418  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

          

Preferred stock—$5 par value, none issued

       —          —          —    

Common stock—$0.50 par value;

          

Shares issued and outstanding

          

August 3, 2018

    811           

August 4, 2017

    837           

February 2, 2018

    830        406        419        415  

Capital in excess of par value

       —          —          22  

Retained earnings

       5,517        5,253        5,425  

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

       (142      (136      11  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

       5,781        5,536        5,873  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     $ 37,105      $ 36,668      $ 35,291  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

In Millions

 

 

     Six Months Ended  
     August 3, 2018     August 4, 2017  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 2,509     $ 2,021  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     751       768  

Deferred income taxes

     (75     (87

Loss on property and other assets—net

     261       13  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

           464  

(Gain) loss on cost method and equity method investments

     3       (87

Share-based payment expense

     62       55  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Merchandise inventory—net

     (549     (850

Other operating assets

     (140     166  

Accounts payable

     2,408       2,031  

Other operating liabilities

     557       580  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     5,787       5,074  

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of investments

     (980     (624

Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments

     1,012       789  

Capital expenditures

     (543     (476

Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets

     30       10  

Acquisition of business—net

           (505

Other—net

     1       10  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (480     (796

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net change in short-term borrowings

     (1,137     (511

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

           2,968  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (24     (2,574

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

     50       80  

Cash dividend payments

     (678     (603

Repurchase of common stock

     (1,846     (2,503

Other—net

     (2     (9

Net cash used in financing activities

     (3,637     (3,152

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (7     12  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     1,663       1,138  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     588       558  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 2,251     $ 1,696  


Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation (Unaudited)

To provide additional transparency, the company has presented the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted earnings per share to exclude the impact of certain discrete items, as further described below, not contemplated in Lowe’s original Business Outlooks for 2018 and 2017 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 operational performance.

In the second quarter of 2017, the company recognized a $96 million gain from the sale of the company’s interest in its Australian joint venture.

In the second quarter of 2018, the company recognized $230 million of non-cash pre-tax charges, consisting of long-lived asset impairments and discontinued projects, as a result of a strategic reassessment of Orchard Supply Hardware (Orchard Supply Hardware charges).

Adjusted diluted earnings per share should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful indicator of, the company’s diluted earnings per 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, this non-GAAP measure 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)
August 3, 2018
     (Unaudited)
August 4, 2017
 

(millions, except per share data)

   Pre-Tax
Earnings
     Tax     Net
Earnings
     Pre-Tax
Earnings
    Tax      Net
Earnings
 

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

        $ 1.86           $ 1.68  

Non-GAAP Adjustments

               

Gain on sale of interest in Australian joint venture

                         (0.11            (0.11

Orchard Supply Hardware charges

     0.28        (0.07     0.21                      

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

        $ 2.07           $ 1.57