EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

WAL-MART

STORES, INC.

800-331-0085 www.walmartstores.com/news

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Investor Relations Contacts   
    Investor Relations 479-273-8446   
    Carol Schumacher 479-277-1498   
    Media Relations Contact   
    John Simley 800-331-0085   
    Pre-recorded Conference Call   
    203-369-1090   

Wal-Mart Reports Record Fourth Quarter Sales and Earnings

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 19, 2008 — 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
January 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
January 31,
 
     2008    2007    Percent
Change
    2008    2007    Percent
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
January 31,
    Twelve Months
Ended January 31,
 
     2008    2007    Percent
Change
    2008    2007    Percent
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.

 

2


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
January 31,
    Three Months Ended
January 31,
    Three Months Ended
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
January 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
January 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
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 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 www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and 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

 

3


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.

 

4


WAL-MART STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions except per share data)

 

SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION

        
     Quarter Ended
January 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
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  

 

5


WAL-MART STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION

 

     January 31,
2008
    January 31,
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.

 

6


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.

 

7