BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 19 -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today reported its sales and earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2008. Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 were $106.269 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent over the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $4.096 billion, an increase of 4.0 percent from $3.940 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007.
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 were $1.02, up 7.4 percent from $0.95 per share in the same prior year quarter, including a net charge of approximately $0.02 per share for certain items this year.
These items included charges of $0.03 for approximately $70 million in after-tax expenses for dropped U.S. real estate projects and an after-tax restructuring charge of $32 million in the Company's Japan operations, and a $0.01 benefit from the recognition of approximately $38 million in after-tax gains from the sale of certain real estate properties.
Net sales for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008 were $374.526 billion, an increase of 8.6 percent over fiscal year 2007. Income from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008 increased 5.8 percent to $12.884 billion, up from $12.178 billion in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008 were $3.16, up 8.2 percent from $2.92 in the prior year.
"For the fourth quarter, we topped $100 billion in sales, the first time in history that any retailer has reached this milestone in a single quarter," said Lee Scott, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. "We had a very strong underlying operating performance, exceeding our expectations for the quarter. In addition to another year of record sales and earnings, we also delivered a record return to our shareholders this year through more than $11 billion in share repurchase and dividends."
Scott attributed the strong results to the Company's price leadership and improved customer service, especially at the Wal-Mart Stores U.S. division.
"The price leadership strategy we put in place at the beginning of the year was exactly the right strategy for our customers around the world in a tough economic environment," Scott said. "The combination of price leadership and improved customer service made the difference in the fourth quarter for our U.S. operations, and I also want to thank our Sam's Clubs and International associates for their record performances this year.
"We know that the economy remains a critical factor in this new fiscal year," Scott added. "Customers were more cautious in their spending in January. In a volatile economy, I believe we are well positioned to succeed. We will continue to strengthen our price leadership around the world."
Net Sales
Net sales were as follows (dollars in billions):
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
January 31, January 31,
Percent Percent
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
Net Sales:
Wal-Mart Stores $67.428 $64.228 5.0% $239.529 $226.294 5.8%
Sam's Club 11.831 11.128 6.3% 44.357 41.582 6.7%
International 27.010 22.734 18.8% 90.640 77.116 17.5%
Total Company $106.269 $98.090 8.3% $374.526 $344.992 8.6%
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income from continuing operations for each of the Company's operating segments, which is defined as income before net interest expense, income taxes, unallocated corporate overhead, minority interest and discontinued operations, was as follows (dollars in billions):
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
January 31, January 31,
Percent Percent
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
Operating Income:
Wal-Mart Stores $5.302 $5.035 5.3% $17.516 $16.620 5.4%
Sam's Club 0.446 0.435 2.5% 1.618 1.480 9.3%
International 1.743 1.522 14.5% 4.769 4.265 11.8%
As the Company discussed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the above measurement of segment operating income was changed starting in the first quarter to be consistent with certain changes to internal management reporting. As a result of the change, certain direct segment costs that were previously retained and managed as corporate overhead costs are allocated to the appropriate operating segment.
Comparable Store Sales
The Company reports comparable store sales in this earnings release based on the calendar months in the quarters and the 12-month periods ended Jan. 31, 2008 and 2007. Comparable store sales for the United States were as follows:
Without Fuel With Fuel Fuel Impact
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
January 31, January 31, January 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
Wal-Mart Stores 1.6% 1.3% 1.6% 1.3% 0.0% 0.0%
Sam's Club 2.5% 3.1% 5.0% 1.9% 2.5% -1.2%
Total U.S. 1.7% 1.6% 2.1% 1.4% 0.4% -0.2%
Without Fuel With Fuel Fuel Impact
Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
January 31, January 31, January 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
Wal-Mart Stores 1.0% 1.9% 1.0% 1.9% 0.0% 0.0%
Sam's Club 4.2% 2.9% 4.9% 2.5% 0.7% -0.4%
Total U.S. 1.4% 2.1% 1.6% 2.0% 0.2% -0.1%
Guidance
The Company expects diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $0.70 and $0.74 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, and between $3.30 and $3.43 for the full fiscal year 2009.
After this earnings release has been furnished to the SEC, a pre-recorded call offering additional comments on the quarter will be available to all investors. Callers may listen to this call by dialing 203-369-1090. The information included in this release and the pre-recorded phone call are available in the investor information area on the Company's Web site at http://www.walmartstores.com/investors.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol WMT.
More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
This release contains statements as to our management's expectations regarding the Company's price leadership position around the world and the Company's expectations for its diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 and for all of fiscal year 2009 that Wal-Mart believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. These statements can be identified by the use of the word "will continue" and "expects" in the statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, domestically and internationally, including, the cost of goods, competitive pressures, geopolitical conditions, general economic conditions, consumer credit availability, inflation, consumer spending patterns and debt levels, currency exchange fluctuations, trade restrictions, changes in tariff and freight rates, changes in the costs of gasoline, diesel fuel, other energy, transportation, utilities, labor and health care, accident costs, casualty and other insurance costs, interest rate fluctuations, capital market conditions, weather conditions, storm-related damage to the Company's facilities, regulatory matters and other risks. The Company discusses certain of these factors more fully in its additional filings with the SEC, including its last annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and this release should be read in conjunction with that annual report on Form 10-K, together with all of the Company's other filings, including current reports on Form 8-K, made with the SEC through the date of this release. The Company urges you to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this release. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The forward-looking statements made in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
WAL-MART STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions except per share data)
SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION
Quarter Ended Twelve Months Ended
January 31, January 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
Revenues:
Net sales $106,269 $98,090 $374,526 $344,992
Membership and other income 1,159 988 4,273 3,658
107,428 99,078 378,799 348,650
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 81,323 75,565 286,515 264,152
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses 19,224 17,080 70,288 64,001
Operating income 6,881 6,433 21,996 20,497
Interest:
Debt 537 361 1,863 1,549
Capital leases 66 69 240 260
Interest income (62) (85) (305) (280)
Interest, net 541 345 1,798 1,529
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes and minority
interest 6,340 6,088 20,198 18,968
Provision for income taxes 2,143 1,977 6,908 6,365
Income from continuing operations
before minority interest 4,197 4,111 13,290 12,603
Minority interest (101) (171) (406) (425)
Income from continuing operations 4,096 3,940 12,884 12,178
Loss from discontinued operations,
net of tax - - (153) (894)
Net income $4,096 $3,940 $12,731 $11,284
Net income per common share:
Basic income per common share from
continuing operations $1.03 $0.95 $3.17 $2.92
Basic loss per common share from
discontinued operations - - (0.04) (0.21)
Basic net income per common share $1.03 $0.95 $3.13 $2.71
Diluted income per common share
from continuing operations $1.02 $0.95 $3.16 $2.92
Diluted loss per common share from
discontinued operations - - (0.03) (0.21)
Diluted net income per common
share $1.02 $0.95 $3.13 $2.71
Weighted-average number of common
shares:
Basic 3,992 4,153 4,066 4,164
Diluted 3,998 4,156 4,072 4,168
Dividends declared per common share $ - $ - $0.88 $0.67
WAL-MART STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION
January 31, January 31,
2008 2007
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $5,569 $7,767
Receivables 3,654 2,840
Inventories 35,180 33,685
Prepaid expenses and other 3,002 2,690
Total current assets 47,405 46,982
Property and equipment, at cost 122,648 109,798
Less accumulated depreciation (28,773) (24,408)
Property and equipment, net 93,875 85,390
Property under capital leases 5,736 5,392
Less accumulated amortization (2,594) (2,342)
Property under capital leases, net 3,142 3,050
Goodwill 16,092 13,759
Other assets and deferred charges 2,864 2,406
Total assets $163,378 $151,587
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Commercial paper $5,040 $2,570
Accounts payable 30,370 28,484
Accrued liabilities 15,798 14,675
Accrued income taxes 716 706
Long-term debt due within one year 5,913 5,428
Obligations under capital leases due within one year 316 285
Total current liabilities 58,153 52,148
Long-term debt 29,799 27,222
Long-term obligations under capital leases 3,603 3,513
Deferred income taxes and other 5,276 4,971
Minority interest 1,939 2,160
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock and capital in excess of par value 3,425 3,247
Retained earnings 57,319 55,818
Accumulated other comprehensive income 3,864 2,508
Total shareholders' equity 64,608 61,573
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $163,378 $151,587
Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
WAL-MART STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION Twelve Months Ended
January 31,
2008 2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $12,731 $11,284
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 153 894
Income from continuing operations 12,884 12,178
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
operations to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 6,317 5,459
Other 915 1,128
Changes in certain assets and liabilities,
net of effects of acquisitions:
Increase in accounts receivable (564) (214)
Increase in inventories (775) (1,274)
Increase in accounts payable 865 2,132
Increase in accrued liabilities 712 588
Net cash provided by operating activities of
continuing operations 20,354 19,997
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued
operations - (45)
Net cash provided by operating activities 20,354 19,952
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property and equipment (14,937) (15,666)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 957 394
(Payments for) proceeds from disposal of certain
international operations, net (257) 610
Investment in international operations,
net of cash acquired (1,338) (68)
Other investing activities (95) 223
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing
operations (15,670) (14,507)
Net cash provided by investing activities of
discontinued operations - 44
Net cash used in investing activities (15,670) (14,463)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper 2,376 (1,193)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 11,167 7,199
Payment of long-term debt (8,723) (5,758)
Dividends paid (3,586) (2,802)
Purchase of Company stock (7,691) (1,718)
Other financing activities (677) (567)
Net cash used in financing activities (7,134) (4,839)
Effect of exchange rates on cash 252 97
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (2,198) 747
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (1) 7,767 7,020
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $5,569 $7,767
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations of
$221 million at January 31, 2006.
Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
-0- 02/19/2008
/CONTACT: Investor Relations, +1-479-273-8446, or Carol Schumacher,
+1-479-277-1498, or Media Relations, John Simley, 1-800-331-0085, or
Pre-recorded Conference Call, +1-203-369-1090, all of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc./
/Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/WALMARTCOMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
/Web site: http://www.walmartstores.com
http://www.walmart.com
http://www.samsclub.com /
(WMT)
CO: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
ST: Arkansas
IN: REA SUP
SU: ERN ERP CCA
SH-JR
-- LATU055 --
7186 02/19/2008 06:20 EST http://www.prnewswire.com
