Walmart reports a 4.6 percent increase for Q1 EPS of $1.14; U.S. businesses forecast positive comp s

Walmart reports a 4.6 percent increase for Q1 EPS of $1.14; U.S. businesses forecast positive comp sales for Q2

• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) reported first quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.14, a 4.6 percent increase compared to last year's first quarter EPS of $1.09.

• Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club, excluding fuel, expect to increase comps for the Q2 13-week period to between flat and 2 percent and 1 and 3 percent, respectively.

• The company expects to deliver EPS for Q2 between $1.22 and $1.27, compared to $1.18 last year.

• Walmart U.S. comp sales declined 1.4 percent in the 13-week period from Jan. 26 to Apr. 26, 2013. Comp sales performance was impacted by a delay in income tax refund checks, challenging weather conditions, less grocery inflation than expected and the payroll tax increase. Walmart U.S. gained market share¹in the measured category of "food, consumables and health & wellness/OTC."

• Walmart International grew net sales 2.9 percent to $33.0 billion. On a constant currency basis², Walmart International's net sales would have increased 5.4 percent to $33.8 billion. Walmart International gained market share³in a majority of the countries in which we operate.

• Comp sales, without fuel, at Sam's Club were up 0.2 percent during the period, pressured by softer business member traffic, weather and lower than expected inflation.

• Consolidated net sales reached $113.4 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 1.0 percent. Currency exchange rate fluctuations had a negative impact on net sales of $1.0 billion.

• Consolidated operating income was $6.5 billion, an increase of 1.1 percent over last year. Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club grew operating income 5.9 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.

• Walmart reported free cash flow²of $1.9 billion for the quarter ended Apr. 30, 2013.

• The company returned $3.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter.

¹ Sources: The Nielsen Company, 13 weeks ended Apr. 27, 2013.

² See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

³ Sources: Africa: Statistics South Africa, Argentina: The Nielsen Company, Canada: The Nielsen Company, Central America: The Nielsen Company, Chile: National Statistics Institute (INE), China: National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBSC), Japan: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYS: WMT) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2013.

Net sales for the first quarter were $113.4 billion, an increase of 1.0 percent over last year. Net sales last year benefited by 1.0 percent from the extra day due to leap year. On a constant currency basis¹, net sales would have increased 1.8 percent to $114.2 billion. Membership and other income increased 1.6 percent versus last year, due primarily to an increase in membership income. Total revenue for the first quarter was $114.2 billion, a 1.0 percent increase over last year.

Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart for the first quarter was $3.8 billion, up 1.1 percent. Diluted earnings per share attributable to Walmart (EPS) were $1.14, a 4.6 percent increase, compared to $1.09 last year.

"In a quarter marked by considerable headwinds to top line sales, Walmart delivered solid EPS growth of 4.6 percent," said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. "Walmart's mission is simple and focused -- to help people save money so they can live better. When we simplify and focus our execution against this mission, it's easy for our associates to prioritize what they have to do to serve our customers.

"I'm confident about our long-term strategy and the direction Walmart is headed," Duke added. "Our expectations about our U.S. businesses' performance, coupled with more discipline in International, will allow us to improve our performance throughout the year."

Duke also noted that e-commerce sales grew more than 30 percent in the first quarter versus last year.

"There is no doubt that our company is making the right investments in e-commerce to differentiate ourselves and become a better Walmart," said Duke. "And with our sales growth in the first quarter, we believe our investments are paying off."

The company's operating expense leverage was relatively flat for the first quarter, but the commitment to leverage for the full year remains a priority.

"We are proud that our U.S. segments leveraged operating expenses in the first quarter, and we expect them to continue leveraging," said Duke. "To operate in a difficult sales environment requires disciplined expense and productivity management, the core of EDLC and EDLP. We are committed to have the total company achieve expense leverage for the year."

"Although we believe our company will leverage expenses for the year, the second quarter will be challenging, given expense pressures in International and our corporate area," said Charles Holley, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Expense leverage may not be delivered evenly across the quarters, but we believe that by executing our plans, we will continue to reduce expenses and improve productivity."

¹ See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures

"We deployed cash to grow our business and return value to shareholders," said Holley. "Despite the multiple headwinds during the quarter, we grew operating profits ahead of sales growth. Our balance sheet is strong, and we continue to grow."

During the first quarter, the company repurchased approximately 30 million shares for $2.2 billion. In addition, the company paid $1.6 billion in dividends. As previously announced, the company increased its dividend by 18 percent for fiscal 2014 to $1.88 per share.

Return on investment¹ (ROI) for the trailing 12 months ended April 30, 2013 was 17.8 percent, compared to 18.1 percent for the prior trailing 12 months ended April 30, 2012. The decline was primarily the result of acquisitions, along with an increase in fixed assets within Walmart's base business.

Walmart ended the quarter with free cash flow¹ of $1.9 billion, compared to $3.1 billion in the prior year. An increase in income tax payments due primarily to changes in federal bonus depreciation rules and an increase in capital expenditures contributed to the free cash flow decline.

"Given current business and economic trends, including currency, we expect second quarter EPS to be in the range of $1.22 to $1.27," said Holley. "Investments in Global eCommerce initiatives were forecast to have an incremental $0.09 impact for fiscal 2014, and this remains in our guidance. We expect the Q2 impact to be in line with the $0.02 per share we had in the first quarter. In addition to eCommerce initiatives, expenses related to FCPA matters are expected to range from $65 to $70 million for the second quarter."

Last year, Walmart delivered $1.18 in EPS for the second quarter.

Net sales, including fuel, were as follows:

The following explanations provide additional context to the above table.

• Last year's net sales included an extra day for leap year, which added approximately 1.0 percent growth in the first quarter of last year.

• On a constant currency basis,¹ Walmart International's net sales would have been $33.8 billion, an increase of 5.4 percent over last year.

• Net sales for Sam's Club, excluding fuel, were $12.2 billion, an increase of 0.5 percent from last year.

¹ See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

• Consolidated net sales, on a constant currency basis,¹ would have increased 1.8 percent to $114.2 billion.

"On a constant currency basis,¹ Walmart International's first quarter sales were $33.8 billion, up 5.4 percent. Our stores in the U.K., Africa, Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, China and India delivered positive comp sales," said Doug McMillon, Walmart International president and CEO. "Comps in Canada and Japan declined. We grew our share² in seven of our eleven markets."

Segment operating income was as follows:

The company reported U.S. comparable store sales based on its 13-week retail calendar for the periods ended April 26, 2013 and April 27, 2012 as follows:

During the 13-week period, the Walmart U.S. comp was negatively impacted by a delay in tax refund checks, challenging weather conditions, less grocery inflation than expected and the payroll tax increase. Comp traffic was down 1.8 percent, while average ticket increased 0.4 percent.

"Despite comps being lower than expected, we continued to generate market share gains," said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO. "According to The Nielsen Company, we gained 20 basis points of market share³ in the measured category of 'food, consumables and health & wellness/OTC' during the 13-weeks ended Apr. 27, 2013."

For the 13-week period ending Jul. 26, Walmart U.S. expects comp store sales to increase from flat to 2.0 percent. Last year, Walmart's comp sales rose 2.2 percent for the comparable period.

¹ See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

² Sources: Africa: Statistics South Africa, Argentina: The Nielsen Company, Canada: The Nielsen Company, Central America: The Nielsen Company, Chile: National Statistics Institute (INE), China: National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBSC), Japan: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

³ Sources: The Nielsen Company, 13 weeks ended Apr. 27, 2013.

"The second quarter is off to a good start, with positive comps," Simon said. "We continue to believe in the strength of our strategic plan to deliver a broad assortment with EDLP. We also continue to monitor the impact of the 2 percent payroll tax increase, along with other factors, like fuel prices."

In the first quarter, Sam's Club comp traffic was up 1.3 percent, while ticket was down 1.1 percent for the 13-week period ended Apr. 26.

"Comp sales for the first quarter were impacted by unfavorable weather and less than expected inflation," said Rosalind Brewer, Sam's Club president and CEO. "Our business member is an integral part of our business, and comp sales and traffic patterns indicated that they remained pressured in the first quarter. Small business optimism remains at historically low levels, as businesses adapt to higher payroll taxes and cautious consumers."

As of May 15, Sam's Club increased its membership fee to $45 nationwide for both Advantage and Business base memberships, reflecting a $5 and $10 increase, respectively. The fee for Plus membership remains $100. This is Sam's Club's first fee increase since Jan. 2006.

"The combination of our strategies, including our membership fee increase, positions us well for the second quarter, and we have a number of events to drive sales," said Brewer. "Members will experience exciting merchandise, heightened by local brands, all displayed with a new level of visual excitement."

Sam's Club expects comp sales, excluding fuel, for the current 13-week period ending Jul. 26, 2013, to increase from 1.0 to 3.0 percent. Last year, for the 13-week period, comp sales, excluding fuel, increased 4.2 percent.

Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club will report comparable sales for the 13-week period ending Jul. 26 on Aug. 15, when the company reports second quarter results. For fiscal year 2014, Walmart will report comparable store sales on a 53-week basis, with 4-5-5 week reporting for the fourth quarter.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYS: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better -- anytime and anywhere -- in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 245 million customers and members visit our 10,857 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 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://corporate.walmart.com, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

After this earnings release has been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a pre-recorded call offering additional comments on the quarter will be available to all investors. Please note: Walmart has a new phone number for accessing the pre-recorded call. The conference call can also be accessed via webcast by clickinghere. Callers within the U.S. and Canada may dial 877-523-5612 and enter passcode 9256278. All other callers can access the call by dialing 201-689-8483 and entering passcode 9256278. Information included in this release, including reconciliations, and the pre-recorded phone call are available in the investor information area on the company's website at www.stock.walmart.com.

High resolution photos of Walmart's U.S., Sam's Club and International operations are available for download at www.stock.walmart.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains statements as to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. management's forecasts or estimates of the company's diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for the fiscal quarter ending Jul. 31, 2013 (and statements of certain assumptions underlying such forecasts), of the incremental impact of the company's investments in Global eCommerce initiatives on earnings per share for the quarter ending Jul. 31, 2013 and the year ending January 31, 2014, of the comparable store sales of the Walmart U.S. segment of the company and the comparable club sales, excluding fuel, of the Sam's Club segment of the company for the 13-week period from April 27, 2013 through Jul. 26, 2013 and of the costs in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 associated with the FCPA and compliance matters and management's expectations that Walmart will leverage expenses for the year ending January 31, 2014, that the company's U.S. operations will continue to leverage expenses and that the company will continue to reduce expenses and improve productivity that the company believes are "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that act. Those statements can be identified by the use of the word or phrase "expect," "expects,' "forecast," "given," "guidance," "will be," "will continue," and "will leverage" in the statements or relating to such statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, domestically and internationally, including: general economic conditions; economic conditions affecting specific markets in which we operate; competitive pressures; inflation and deflation; consumer confidence, disposable income, credit availability, spending patterns and debt levels; customer traffic in Walmart's stores and clubs, average ticket size, the seasonality of Walmart's business and seasonal buying patterns in the United States and other markets; geo-political conditions and events; weather conditions and events and their effects; catastrophic events and natural disasters and their effects on Walmart's business; public health emergencies; civil unrest and disturbances and terrorist attacks; commodity prices; the cost of goods Walmart sells; transportation costs; the cost of diesel fuel, gasoline, natural gas and electricity; the selling prices of gasoline; disruption of Walmart's supply chain, including transport of goods from foreign suppliers; trade restrictions; changes in tariff and freight rates; labor costs; the availability of qualified labor pools in Walmart's markets; changes in employment laws and regulations, the cost of healthcare and other benefits; casualty and other insurance costs; accident-related costs; the availability of investment opportunities relating to Walmart's Global eCommerce initiatives, adoption of or changes in tax and other laws and regulations that affect Walmart's business, including changes in corporate tax rates; developments in, and the outcome of, legal and regulatory proceedings to which Walmart is a party or is subject and the costs associated therewith; currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in market interest rates; conditions and events affecting domestic and global financial and capital markets; and other risks. The company discusses certain of the factors described above more fully in certain of its filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC (in which the company also discusses other factors that may affect its operations, results of operations and comparable store and club sales) 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 its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, made with the SEC through the date of this release. The company urges readers 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 contained in this release are as of the date of this release, and Walmart undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.