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Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

For Immediate Release     

Media Relations Contact

David Tovar

800-331-0085

    

Investor Relations Contact

Carol Schumacher

479-277-1498

Pre-recorded conference call

800-778-6902 (U.S. and Canada)

585-219-6420 (other countries)

Walmart announces FY12 second quarter

EPS from continuing operations of $1.09

 

   

Walmart reported second quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $1.09, up 12.4 percent over the $0.97 per share from continuing operations last year.

 

   

The company issued its third quarter EPS guidance range of $0.95 to $1.00 and raised its full year EPS guidance range to $4.41 to $4.51.

 

   

Net sales for the second quarter were $108.6 billion, an increase of 5.5 percent from last year, with contributions from all segments.

 

   

Total U.S. comps, without fuel, for the 13-week period ending July 29 were flat. Sam’s Club comparable sales, without fuel, increased 5.0 percent for the same period, at the top of guidance. Walmart U.S. comparable store sales were -0.9 percent, within guidance for the period.

 

   

Walmart International increased net sales 16.2 percent to $30.1 billion for the quarter. This included a currency exchange translation benefit of $2.3 billion.

 

   

The company completed its acquisitions of the Netto stores in the U.K. and the majority ownership position in Massmart Holdings Ltd. in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

   

During the second quarter, the company returned $2.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 16, 2011 — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2011. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $108.6 billion, an increase of 5.5 percent from $103.0 billion in last year’s second quarter. Net sales for the quarter included a currency exchange rate benefit of $2.3 billion.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for the quarter was $3.8 billion, up 5.7 percent from last year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart (EPS) for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $1.09. In comparison, last year’s EPS was $0.97.


Income from continuing operations included certain pre-tax items in the second quarter, which are described below.

 

 

Approximately $49 million from a mark-to-market loss on certain foreign currency derivative positions related to the Massmart acquisition.

 

 

Approximately $36 million from acquisition related costs for Netto and Massmart.

 

 

Approximately $30 million in expenses related to storm damage from tornados and floods in U.S. operations.

These items totaled approximately $115 million and are included within operating expenses.

 

 

Approximately $17 million impact to gross margin for a noncash inventory accounting re-valuation charge at Walmart Mexico as the new SAP system was implemented in the second quarter.

In summary, the combination of the expense and gross margin items totaled $132 million and accounted for approximately a $0.03 impact to the company’s EPS for the quarter. In addition, the company benefited from an effective tax rate for the second quarter of 32.2 percent, compared to 34.3 percent last year.

EPS rises 12.4 percent over last year

“We are reporting today $1.09 in earnings per share from continuing operations, a 12.4 percent increase over last year’s second quarter,” said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. “Our EPS is near the top of our guidance.

“I’m encouraged by the sales improvement in our Walmart U.S. stores. Comp sales have increased sequentially month to month within the quarter. In fact, this was the best quarterly performance since the third quarter of fiscal 2010,” Duke continued. “We’re committed to deliver positive comp sales by widening the gap on price, and we have a specific plan to deliver EDLP to every customer.

“Walmart International reported second quarter net sales growth of more than 16 percent over last year to $30 billion,” Duke said. “I’m pleased that we’ve made so much progress on integrating the acquisitions of the Netto stores in the U.K. and Massmart in sub-Saharan Africa. We look forward to the many opportunities we have in Africa to create jobs and help customers save money and live better.”

Duke also recognized the hard work of the Sam’s Club team for strong comparable sales performance and expense management.

“This is the sixth straight quarter of comp improvement for Sam’s, a testament to the team’s execution to drive quality, value and savings for members,” he said. “I’m also pleased with the momentum in membership renewals and upgrades.”

Committed to full year expense leverage

The company grew sales and operating expenses at the same rate, 5.5 percent.

“We remain committed to driving the productivity loop throughout the organization and we are committed to leverage operating expenses for the full year,” said Charles Holley, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Without the items affecting operating expenses, the company leveraged expenses for the second quarter.

 

2


“We continue to deliver strong returns to our shareholders,” said Holley. “We returned $2.7 billion to our shareholders during the second quarter through dividends and share repurchases, bringing our total return to shareholders during the first half of this year to $6.1 billion.”

During the second quarter, the company repurchased $1.4 billion of shares, representing approximately 26.1 million shares. In addition, the company paid $1.3 billion in dividends.

At the end of the second quarter, Walmart had positive free cash flow of $4.0 billion1, compared to $4.5 billion1 in the prior year. Return on investment (ROI) for the trailing 12 months ended July 31, 2011 was 18.4 percent1, compared to 19.0 percent1 for the prior year. ROI was negatively impacted by the acquisitions and currency exchange translations.

Company raises full year EPS guidance

“Based on our views of the economic and sales environment in the United States and around the world, we expect third quarter fiscal 2012 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart to range between $0.95 and $1.00. Last year, we reported EPS of $0.95 for the third quarter, which included a tax benefit of approximately $0.05 per share,” Holley said.

“We are narrowing and increasing the company’s full year EPS guidance to a range of $4.41 to $4.51. This compares to last year’s full year EPS of $4.18, which included approximately $0.11 per share for certain items,” said Holley. “Our guidance estimates assume that currency exchange rates remain at current levels. This reflects our confidence in the business for the back half of the year.”

Operating Segment Details and Analysis

Net sales results

Net sales, including fuel, were as follows (dollars in billions):

 

     Three Months Ended
July 31,
    Six Months Ended
July 31,
 
     2011      2010      Percent
Change
    2011      2010      Percent
Change
 

Net Sales:

                

Walmart U.S.

   $ 64.893       $ 64.654         0.4   $ 127.562       $ 126.978         0.5

Walmart International

     30.099         25.901         16.2     58.004         50.931         13.9

Sam’s Club

     13.646         12.461         9.5     26.487         24.204         9.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Company

   $ 108.638       $ 103.016         5.5   $ 212.053       $ 202.113         4.9

In addition to the details in the chart above, the company noted that consolidated net sales on a constant currency basis increased by 3.2 percent to $106.3 billion for the quarter.

Walmart International’s net sales included a $2.3 billion currency exchange rate benefit for the quarter ended July 31, 2011. On a constant currency basis, Walmart International net sales were up 7.1 percent for the second quarter. Mexico, the U.K., Canada, Brazil and China had the largest sales increases during the quarter.

Net sales for Sam’s Club, excluding fuel, grew to $12.0 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent from last year’s second quarter results.

 

1 

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

 

3


Segment operating income

Segment operating income was as follows (dollars in billions):

 

     Three Months Ended
July 31,
    Six Months Ended
July 31,
 
     2011      2010      Percent
Change
    2011      2010      Percent
Change
 

Segment Operating Income:

                

Walmart U.S.

   $ 4.985       $ 4.881         2.1   $ 9.635       $ 9.496         1.5

Walmart International

     1.415         1.299         8.9     2.511         2.382         5.4

Sam’s Club

     0.492         0.428         15.0     0.951         0.857         11.0

Walmart U.S. operating income grew faster than sales and above last year’s second quarter.

Walmart International reported operating income which included a currency exchange rate benefit of $110 million for the second quarter. On a constant currency basis, operating income grew 0.5 percent for the second quarter, but included a number of items as previously noted.

Sam’s Club operating income for the second quarter increased 15.0 percent. Excluding fuel, operating income for the second quarter was up 13.3 percent, compared to last year’s second quarter.

Consolidated operating income for the second quarter, which includes unallocated corporate overhead, was $6.4 billion, up 3.1 percent, compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, consolidated operating income rose 1.3 percent to $6.3 billion.

U.S. comparable store sales review and guidance

The company reported U.S. comparable store sales based on its 13-week and 26-week retail calendar periods ended July 29, 2011 and July 30, 2010, as follows:

 

     Without Fuel     With Fuel     Fuel Impact  
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     07/29/11     07/30/10     07/29/11     07/30/10     07/29/11     07/30/10  

Walmart U.S.

     -0.9     -1.8     -0.9     -1.8     0.0     0.0

Sam’s Club

     5.0     1.0     9.6     2.6     4.6     1.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total U.S.

     0.0     -1.4     0.8     -1.1     0.8     0.3
     Without Fuel     With Fuel     Fuel Impact  
     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
     07/29/11     07/30/10     07/29/11     07/30/10     07/29/11     07/30/10  

Walmart U.S.

     -1.0     -1.6     -1.0     -1.6     0.0     0.0

Sam’s Club

     4.6     0.8     9.1     3.3     4.5     2.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total U.S.

     -0.2     -1.2     0.6     -0.8     0.8     0.4

During the 13-week period, average ticket was up and traffic was down versus last year, for Walmart U.S. Both traffic and average ticket, on a year-over-year basis, improved sequentially each month in the period.

 

4


For the 4-5-4 period from July 30 through October 28, 2011, Walmart U.S. expects comparable store sales to range from negative one percent to positive one percent. The Walmart U.S. 13-week comp for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 declined 1.3 percent.

“I’m encouraged by the sales momentum we have from the second quarter. Our grocery and health and wellness business, representing two-thirds of our sales continued to deliver positive comps. Our hardlines and apparel businesses are improving,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer. “We remain concerned about the economic pressure on our customers and the uncertain impact it can have on their shopping behavior. With this volatility, it is as important as ever to deliver on Walmart’s one-stop shopping promise for broad assortment and every day low prices.”

For Sam’s Club, comparable traffic and ticket, excluding fuel, were both higher than this period last year and increased for both Business and Advantage members for the 13-week period. Sam’s delivered comp increases in nearly all categories across the club.

Sam’s Club expects comp sales, without fuel, for the current 13-week period to increase between 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent. Last year, Sam’s Club comp, without fuel, for the third quarter comparable 13-week period rose 2.4 percent.

“We had an outstanding second quarter, and our sales momentum remains strong. New member signups have been growing,” said Brian Cornell, Sam’s Club president and chief executive officer. “It was in the third quarter last year that our comp performance began to accelerate, so our comparisons for the back half of this year are more challenging, but we are confident in continuing our momentum.”

Both Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club will report comparable sales for the 13-week period on Nov. 15, when the company reports third quarter results.

Notes

Constant currency results are calculated by translating current year results using prior year exchange rates.

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. Callers may listen to this call by dialing 800-778-6902, or 585-219-6420 outside the U.S. and Canada. 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.walmartstores.com/investors.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,667 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.

 

5


Forward Looking Statements

This release contains statements as to Walmart management’s forecasts of the company’s earnings per share for the fiscal quarter to end Oct. 31, 2011 and for the fiscal year to end Jan. 31, 2012 (and statements of assumptions underlying such forecasts), and management’s expectations regarding the comparable store sales of the Walmart U.S. segment and comparable club sales, excluding fuel, of the Sam’s Club segment of the company for the 13-week period from July 30, 2011 through Oct. 28, 2011, and management’s goal of leveraging operating expenses for the full fiscal year 2012, 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 “assume,” “based on,” “expect,” “expects,” “guidance,” and “to 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, the cost of goods, competitive pressures, geopolitical events and conditions, levels of unemployment, levels of consumer disposable income, changes in laws and regulations, consumer credit availability, inflation, deflation, commodity prices, consumer spending patterns and debt levels, consumer acceptance of new formats, currency exchange rate 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, availability of acceptable sites for the development of new units, regulatory and other legal restrictions that may affect development of new units, financial and capital market conditions, developments in litigation to which the company is a party, weather conditions, damage to the company’s facilities from natural disasters, public health emergencies, civil disturbances, regulatory matters and other risks. The company discusses certain of these factors more fully in certain of its filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and this release should be read in conjunction with that annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, together with all of the company’s other filings, including its 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.

 

6


Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION

 

     Three Months Ended
July 31,
    Six Months Ended
July 31,
 

(Amounts in millions except per share data)

   2011     2010     Percent
Change
    2011     2010     Percent
Change
 

Revenues:

            

Net sales

   $ 108,638      $ 103,016        5.5   $ 212,053      $ 202,113        4.9

Membership and other income

     728        710        2.5     1,502        1,424        5.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue

     109,366        103,726        5.4     213,555        203,537        4.9

Cost of sales

     81,770        77,438        5.6     159,947        152,056        5.2

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses

     21,213        20,098        5.5     41,329        39,554        4.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     6,383        6,190        3.1     12,279        11,927        3.0

Interest:

            

Debt

     525        477        10.1     1,016        932        9.0

Capital leases

     75        65        15.4     146        132        10.6

Interest income

     (22     (57     -61.4     (66     (108     -38.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest, net

     578        485        19.2     1,096        956        14.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     5,805        5,705        1.8     11,183        10,971        1.9

Provision for income taxes

     1,868        1,958        -4.6     3,668        3,780        -3.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     3,937        3,747        5.1     7,515        7,191        4.5

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —          0.0     (28     —          -100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

     3,937        3,747        5.1     7,487        7,191        4.1

Less consolidated net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (136     (151     -9.9     (287     (294     -2.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart

   $ 3,801      $ 3,596        5.7   $ 7,200      $ 6,897        4.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart:

            

Income from continuing operations

   $ 3,937      $ 3,747        5.1   $ 7,515      $ 7,191        4.5

Less consolidated net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (136     (151     -9.9     (287     (294     -2.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart

   $ 3,801      $ 3,596        5.7   $ 7,228      $ 6,897        4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

            

Basic income per common share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart

   $ 1.09      $ 0.97        12.4   $ 2.07      $ 1.85        11.9

Basic income per common share from discontinued operations attributable to Walmart

     —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share attributable to Walmart

   $ 1.09      $ 0.97        12.4   $ 2.07      $ 1.85        11.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

            

Diluted income per common share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart

   $ 1.09      $ 0.97        12.4   $ 2.06      $ 1.84        12.0

Diluted income per common share from discontinued operations attributable to Walmart

     —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share attributable to Walmart

   $ 1.09      $ 0.97        12.4   $ 2.06      $ 1.84        12.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares:

            

Basic

     3,472        3,696          3,486        3,730     

Diluted

     3,485        3,707          3,501        3,744     

Dividends declared per common share

   $ —        $ —          $ 1.46      $ 1.21     

 

7


Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION

 

     July 31,     January 31,  

(Amounts in millions)

   2011     2010     2011  

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,102      $ 10,195      $ 7,395   

Receivables, net

     5,265        4,531        5,089   

Inventories

     38,651        34,793        36,318   

Prepaid expenses and other

     3,308        3,395        2,960   

Current assets of discontinued operations

     88        131        131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     55,414        53,045        51,893   

Property and equipment:

      

Property and equipment

     153,985        142,123        148,584   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (45,256     (41,012     (43,486
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     108,729        101,111        105,098   

Property under capital leases:

      

Property under capital leases

     6,102        5,720        5,905   

Less accumulated amortization

     (3,241     (3,017     (3,125
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property under capital leases, net

     2,861        2,703        2,780   

Goodwill

     21,532        15,993        16,763   

Other assets and deferred charges

     5,120        4,092        4,129   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 193,656      $ 176,944      $ 180,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Short-term borrowings

   $ 6,435      $ 4,639      $ 1,031   

Accounts payable

     34,701        33,953        33,557   

Dividends payable

     2,556        2,292        —     

Accrued liabilities

     17,815        17,547        18,701   

Accrued income taxes

     898        1,257        157   

Long-term debt due within one year

     1,787        5,546        4,655   

Obligations under capital leases due within one year

     404        346        336   

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     28        75        47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     64,624        65,655        58,484   

Long-term debt

     45,238        35,629        40,692   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     3,214        3,073        3,150   

Deferred income taxes and other

     7,304        5,368        6,682   

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

     428        323        408   

Commitments and contingencies

      

Equity:

      

Common stock and capital in excess of par value

     3,876        3,999        3,929   

Retained earnings

     62,779        61,746        63,967   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     1,286        (1,099     646   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Walmart shareholders’ equity

     67,941        64,646        68,542   

Noncontrolling interest

     4,907        2,250        2,705   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     72,848        66,896        71,247   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 193,656      $ 176,944      $ 180,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

8


Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

SUBJECT TO RECLASSIFICATION

 

     Six Months Ended
July 31,
 

(Amounts in millions)

   2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Consolidated net income

   $ 7,487      $ 7,191   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     28        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     7,515        7,191   

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,027        3,748   

Other

     276        (162

Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

     319        (424

Inventories

     (909     (2,086

Accounts payable

     (550     3,090   

Accrued liabilities

     (970     (1,338
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     9,708        10,019   

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Payments for property and equipment

     (5,671     (5,554

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     112        126   

Investments and business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (3,501     (108

Other investing activities

     168        (45
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,892     (5,581

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Change in short-term borrowings, net

     5,336        4,120   

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     4,949        6,433   

Payment of long-term debt

     (3,895     (2,639

Dividends paid

     (2,541     (2,260

Purchase of Company stock

     (3,540     (7,112

Other financing activities

     (515     (587
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (206     (2,045

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     97        (105
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     707        2,288   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     7,395        7,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 8,102      $ 10,195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Reconciliations of and Other Information regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share data)

The following information provides reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures presented in the press release to which this reconciliation is attached to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The company has provided the non-GAAP financial information presented in the press release, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in the press release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the press release. The non-GAAP financial measures in the press release may differ from similar measures used by other companies.

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities in a period minus payments for property and equipment made in that period. Free cash flow was $4.0 billion and $4.5 billion for the six-month periods ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the SEC’s rules. Management believes, however, that free cash flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the company’s financial performance. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, income from continuing operations as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Additionally, our definition of free cash flow is limited, in that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our entire statements of cash flows.

Although other companies report their free cash flow, numerous methods may exist for calculating a company’s free cash flow. As a result, the method used by our management to calculate free cash flow may differ from the methods other companies use to calculate their free cash flow. We urge you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate its free cash flow before comparing our free cash flow to that of such other company.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net cash provided by operating activities, a GAAP measure, which we believe to be the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to free cash flow, for the six-month periods ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, as well as information regarding net cash used in investing activities and net cash used in financing activities in those periods.

 

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     For the Six Months  Ended
July 31,
 

(Amounts in millions)

   2011     2010  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 9,708      $ 10,019   

Payments for property and equipment

     (5,671     (5,554
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

   $ 4,037      $ 4,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (8,892   $ (5,581

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (206   $ (2,045

Calculation of Return on Investment and Return on Assets

Management believes return on investment (“ROI”) is a meaningful metric to share with investors because it helps investors assess how effectively Walmart is employing its assets. Trends in ROI can fluctuate over time as management balances long-term potential strategic initiatives with any possible short-term impacts.

ROI was 18.4 percent and 19.0 percent for the trailing 12 months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We define ROI as adjusted operating income (operating income plus interest income, depreciation and amortization, and rent expense) for the fiscal year or trailing twelve months divided by average invested capital during that period. We consider average invested capital to be the average of our beginning and ending total assets of continuing operations plus accumulated depreciation and amortization less accounts payable and accrued liabilities for that period, plus a rent factor equal to the rent for the fiscal year or trailing twelve months multiplied by a factor of eight.

ROI is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the SEC’s rules. We consider return on assets (“ROA”) to be the financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP that is the most directly comparable financial measure to ROI as we calculate that financial measure. ROI differs from ROA (which is income from continuing operations for the fiscal year or trailing twelve months divided by average total assets of continuing operations for the period) because ROI: adjusts operating income to exclude certain expense items and adds interest income; adjusts total assets from continuing operations for the impact of accumulated depreciation and amortization, accounts payable and accrued liabilities; and incorporates a factor of rent to arrive at total invested capital.

Although ROI is a standard financial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating a company’s ROI. As a result, the method used by Walmart’s management to calculate ROI may differ from the methods other companies use to calculate their ROI. We urge you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate its ROI before comparing our ROI to that of such other company.

 

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The calculation of ROI along with reconciliation to the calculation of ROA, the most comparable GAAP financial measurement, is as follows:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Return on Investment and Return on Assets

 

     For the Trailing Twelve Months
Ended, July 31,
       
(Dollar amounts in millions)    2011     2010        
CALCULATION OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT   

Numerator

      

Operating income

   $ 25,894      $ 24,827     

+ Interest income

     159        196     

+ Depreciation and amortization

     7,920        7,448     

+ Rent

     2,110        1,875     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

= Adjusted operating income

   $ 36,083      $ 34,346     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Denominator

      

Average total assets of continuing operations1

   $ 185,191      $ 172,638     

+ Average accumulated depreciation and amortization1

     46,263        41,248     

- Average accounts payable1

     34,327        31,375     

- Average accrued liabilities1

     17,681        17,127     

+ Rent * 8

     16,880        15,000     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

= Average invested capital

   $ 196,326      $ 180,384     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Return on investment (ROI)

     18.4     19.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
CALCULATION OF RETURN ON ASSETS   

Numerator

      

Income from continuing operations

   $ 16,283      $ 15,447     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Denominator

      

Average total assets of continuing operations1

   $ 185,191      $ 172,638     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Return on assets (ROA)

     8.8     8.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     As of July 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Certain Balance Sheet Data

      

Total assets of continuing operations2

   $ 193,568      $ 176,813      $ 168,462   

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     48,497        44,029        38,466   

Accounts payable

     34,701        33,953        28,797   

Accrued liabilities

     17,815        17,547        16,706   

 

1 The average is based on the addition of the account balance at the end of the current period to the account balance at the end of the prior period and dividing by 2.

 

2 Based on continuing operations only and therefore excludes the impact of discontinued operations. Total assets as of July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in the table above exclude assets of discontinued operations that are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of $88 million, $131 million and $147 million, respectively.

# # #

 

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