December 8, 2011
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the resale of 70,615,608 shares of Walmart common stock currently held by Walton Enterprises, LLC and representing approximately 2% of the company's outstanding shares, based on a registration rights agreement between the company and Walton Enterprises.
Walton Enterprises, which requested the agreement and the registration statement, has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by Walmart in connection with both the filing of the registration statement and any sales made under the registration statement. Walton Enterprises also has agreed to certain restrictions on any sales of the shares.
Walmart understands that the newly-registered shares will be used to fund certain charitable trusts – established under the Helen R. Walton estate plan – which will provide funding to the Walton Family Foundation over time. The registration rights agreement will obligate Walmart to maintain the registration of the shares until either the sale of all of the shares or December 31, 2017, whichever occurs earlier. Further information may be found in the registration statement filed today with the SEC.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,826 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is effective. A written prospectus, when available, may be obtained by writing to Walton Enterprises, LLC, P.O. Box 1860, Bentonville, AR 72712.