LOWES COMPANIES INC
10-Qs and 10-Ks
PROXIES
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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ý
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period ended
November 3, 2017
or
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission File Number
1-7898
LOWE’S
COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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North Carolina
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56-0578072
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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1000 Lowe’s Blvd., Mooresville, NC
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28117
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
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(704) 758-1000
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
ý
Yes
o
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
ý
Yes
o
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer
ý
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Accelerated filer
o
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Non-accelerated filer
o
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Smaller reporting company
o
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Emerging growth company
o
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o
Yes
ý
No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
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CLASS
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OUTSTANDING AT 12/1/2017
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Common Stock, $0.50 par value
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829,760,597
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LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.
- TABLE OF CONTENTS -
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PART I - Financial Information
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Page No.
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements
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Item 2.
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Item 3.
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Item 4.
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PART II - Other Information
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Item 1.
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Item 1A.
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Item 2.
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Item 6.
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Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
In Millions, Except Par Value Data
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(Unaudited)
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(Unaudited)
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|||||||||||||
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November 3, 2017
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October 28, 2016
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February 3, 2017
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||||||||||||
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Assets
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||||||||||||||
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Current assets:
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||||||||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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743
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$
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960
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$
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558
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Short-term investments
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85
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123
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100
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||||||||
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Merchandise inventory - net
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12,393
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10,990
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10,458
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||||||||
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Other current assets
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788
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655
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884
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Total current assets
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14,009
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12,728
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12,000
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Property, less accumulated depreciation
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19,818
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20,037
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19,949
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||||||||
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Long-term investments
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370
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436
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366
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||||||||
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Deferred income taxes - net
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347
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331
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222
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||||||||
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Goodwill
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1,327
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1,034
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1,082
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||||||||
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Other assets
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912
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804
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789
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||||||||
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Total assets
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$
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36,783
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$
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35,370
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$
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34,408
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|||||
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Liabilities and equity
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||||||||||||||
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Current liabilities:
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||||||||||||||
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Short-term borrowings
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$
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171
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$
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—
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$
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510
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|||||
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Current maturities of long-term debt
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297
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800
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795
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||||||||
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Accounts payable
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8,903
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7,836
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6,651
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||||||||
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Accrued compensation and employee benefits
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808
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704
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790
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Deferred revenue
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1,404
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1,258
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1,253
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Other current liabilities
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2,155
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2,035
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1,975
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||||||||
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Total current liabilities
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13,738
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12,633
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11,974
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Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
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15,570
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14,395
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14,394
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||||||||
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Deferred revenue - extended protection plans
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794
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745
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763
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||||||||
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Other liabilities
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939
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889
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843
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||||||||
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Total liabilities
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31,041
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28,662
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27,974
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Equity:
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||||||||||||||
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Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued
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—
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—
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—
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Common stock - $0.50 par value;
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||||||||||||||
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Shares issued and outstanding
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||||||||||||||
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November 3, 2017
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831
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||||||||||||
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October 28, 2016
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873
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||||||||||||
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February 3, 2017
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866
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415
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437
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433
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Capital in excess of par value
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—
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—
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—
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||||||||
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Retained earnings
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5,289
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6,376
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6,241
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Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
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38
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(214
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)
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(240
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)
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Total Lowe’s Companies, Inc. shareholders’ equity
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5,742
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6,599
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6,434
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Noncontrolling interest
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—
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109
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—
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Total equity
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5,742
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6,708
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6,434
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Total liabilities and equity
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$
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36,783
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$
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35,370
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$
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34,408
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3
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Current and Retained Earnings (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data
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Three Months Ended
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Nine Months Ended
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November 3, 2017
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October 28, 2016
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November 3, 2017
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October 28, 2016
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Current Earnings
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Amount
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% Sales
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Amount
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% Sales
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Amount
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% Sales
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Amount
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% Sales
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|||||||||||||||
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Net sales
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$
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16,770
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100.00
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$
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15,739
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100.00
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$
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53,125
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100.00
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$
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49,233
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100.00
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Cost of sales
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11,057
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65.93
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10,332
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65.65
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34,942
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65.77
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32,201
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65.41
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Gross margin
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5,713
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34.07
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5,407
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34.35
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18,183
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34.23
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17,032
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34.59
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Expenses:
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Selling, general and administrative
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3,808
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22.71
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4,084
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25.94
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11,615
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21.87
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11,340
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23.02
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Depreciation and amortization
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358
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2.13
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384
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2.44
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1,080
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2.03
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1,115
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2.27
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Operating income
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1,547
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9.23
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939
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5.97
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5,488
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10.33
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4,577
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9.30
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Interest - net
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160
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0.96
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163
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1.04
|
479
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0.91
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486
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0.99
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|||||||||||
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Loss on extinguishment of debt
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—
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—
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—
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—
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464
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0.87
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—
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—
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|||||||||||
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Pre-tax earnings
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1,387
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8.27
|
776
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4.93
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4,545
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8.55
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4,091
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8.31
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Income tax provision
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515
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3.07
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397
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2.52
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1,652
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3.10
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1,661
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3.37
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|||||||||||
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Net earnings
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$
|
872
|
|
5.20
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$
|
379
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2.41
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$
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2,893
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5.45
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$
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2,430
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4.94
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|||||||
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Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
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831
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873
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843
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884
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Basic earnings per common share
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$
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1.05
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$
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0.43
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$
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3.42
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$
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2.74
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|||||||||||
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Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
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832
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874
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844
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886
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Diluted earnings per common share
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$
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1.05
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$
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0.43
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$
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3.42
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$
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2.73
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Cash dividends per share
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$
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0.41
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$
|
0.35
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$
|
1.17
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$
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0.98
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|||||||||||
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Retained Earnings
|
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Balance at beginning of period
|
$
|
5,253
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$
|
6,839
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$
|
6,241
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$
|
7,593
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|||||||||||
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Net earnings attributable to Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
|
872
|
|
378
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|
2,893
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|
2,428
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|||||||||||||||
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Cash dividends declared
|
(341
|
)
|
(306
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)
|
(984
|
)
|
(865
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||
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Share repurchases
|
(495
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)
|
(535
|
)
|
(2,861
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)
|
(2,780
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||
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Balance at end of period
|
$
|
5,289
|
|
$
|
6,376
|
|
$
|
5,289
|
|
$
|
6,376
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|
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See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Percentage Data
|
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Three Months Ended
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Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
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|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||||||||||||||||
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Amount
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% Sales
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Amount
|
% Sales
|
Amount
|
% Sales
|
Amount
|
% Sales
|
|||||||||||||||
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Net earnings
|
$
|
872
|
|
5.20
|
$
|
379
|
|
2.41
|
$
|
2,893
|
|
5.45
|
$
|
2,430
|
|
4.94
|
|||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments - net of tax
|
173
|
|
1.03
|
152
|
|
0.97
|
278
|
|
0.52
|
179
|
|
0.36
|
|||||||||||
|
Other comprehensive income
|
173
|
|
1.03
|
152
|
|
0.97
|
278
|
|
0.52
|
179
|
|
0.36
|
|||||||||||
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Comprehensive income
|
$
|
1,045
|
|
6.23
|
$
|
531
|
|
3.38
|
$
|
3,171
|
|
5.97
|
$
|
2,609
|
|
5.30
|
|||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
4
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
In Millions
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
||||||
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Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|||||||
|
Net earnings
|
$
|
2,893
|
|
$
|
2,430
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|||||||
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Depreciation and amortization
|
1,148
|
|
1,190
|
|
|||
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Deferred income taxes
|
(118
|
)
|
(72
|
)
|
|||
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Loss on property and other assets - net
|
21
|
|
130
|
|
|||
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Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
464
|
|
—
|
|
|||
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(Gain) loss on cost method and equity method investments
|
(86
|
)
|
300
|
|
|||
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Share-based payment expense
|
78
|
|
71
|
|
|||
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||
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Merchandise inventory - net
|
(1,783
|
)
|
(718
|
)
|
|||
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Other operating assets
|
186
|
|
32
|
|
|||
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Accounts payable
|
2,251
|
|
1,859
|
|
|||
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Other operating liabilities
|
318
|
|
47
|
|
|||
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
5,372
|
|
5,269
|
|
|||
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|||||||
|
Purchases of investments
|
(680
|
)
|
(1,018
|
)
|
|||
|
Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments
|
870
|
|
987
|
|
|||
|
Capital expenditures
|
(787
|
)
|
(820
|
)
|
|||
|
Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets
|
21
|
|
28
|
|
|||
|
Purchases of derivative instruments
|
—
|
|
(103
|
)
|
|||
|
Proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments
|
—
|
|
179
|
|
|||
|
Acquisition of business - net
|
(509
|
)
|
(2,284
|
)
|
|||
|
Other - net
|
13
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|||
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(1,072
|
)
|
(3,052
|
)
|
|||
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|||||||
|
Net change in short-term borrowings
|
(340
|
)
|
(44
|
)
|
|||
|
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
2,968
|
|
3,267
|
|
|||
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
(2,836
|
)
|
(1,146
|
)
|
|||
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based payment plans
|
87
|
|
88
|
|
|||
|
Cash dividend payments
|
(947
|
)
|
(815
|
)
|
|||
|
Repurchase of common stock
|
(3,054
|
)
|
(3,054
|
)
|
|||
|
Other - net
|
(8
|
)
|
48
|
|
|||
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(4,130
|
)
|
(1,656
|
)
|
|||
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
|
15
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|||
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
185
|
|
555
|
|
|||
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
558
|
|
405
|
|
|||
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$
|
743
|
|
$
|
960
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Note
1
:
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all the disclosures normally required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The consolidated financial statements (unaudited), in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of
November 3, 2017
, and
October 28, 2016
, and the results of operations, comprehensive income for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, and
October 28, 2016
, and cash flows for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
.
These interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (the Company) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 3, 2017
(the Annual Report). The financial results for the interim periods may not be indicative of the financial results for the entire fiscal year.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current presentation.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
Effective February 4, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2016-09),
Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
. All excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to share-based payments are recognized in the provision for income taxes, which has increased the volatility within our provision for income taxes, as these amounts were previously reported within equity. As a result of the adoption, we have recognized
$10 million
and
$34 million
of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, respectively. The recognition of these benefits contributed
$0.01
and
$0.04
to diluted earnings per share for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, respectively. Excess tax benefits were historically reflected as a financing activity in the statements of cash flows, and after adoption, are included within operating activities. Cash paid to tax authorities by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. Share-based payment expense will continue to reflect estimated forfeitures of share-based payment awards. The Company has adopted the applicable provisions of the ASU prospectively.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2017-04,
Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)
. The ASU eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation to the identified assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under the amendments in this update, a goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance by the Company is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,
Leases (Topic 842)
. The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840,
Leases
. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases previously classified as operating leases. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated
6
financial statements but expects the ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets, as a result of the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
. The ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the ASU has expanded disclosure requirements regarding revenue. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of the ASU to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this ASU.
The Company continues to evaluate the impact of adopting this standard and its subsequent related amendments and interpretations. However, based on our assessment, which will be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. The Company has determined the adoption of the guidance will impact the timing of recognition of its stored value card breakage. Currently, breakage is recognized using the remote method and will be recognized using the proportional method upon adoption of the guidance. In addition, the Company expects a change in the presentation of the sales return reserve on the consolidated balance sheet, as it is currently reported on a net basis, as well as a change in the timing of how installation services are recognized. The Company is also evaluating principal versus agent conclusions as it relates to certain arrangements with third parties that could impact the presentation of revenue on a gross or net basis. The Company does not expect any significant modifications to existing systems or material changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The adoption of the ASU will result in increased footnote disclosure requirements.
The Company plans to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and based on its ongoing assessment of potential impacts to its consolidated financial statements, the Company expects to use a modified retrospective approach to adoption.
Note
2
: Acquisitions -
On June 23, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters, a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products serving the multifamily housing industry. The aggregate purchase price of this acquisition was
$513 million
and is included in the investing section of the consolidated statements of cash flows, net of the cash acquired. The acquisition is expected to enable the Company to deepen and broaden its relationship with Pro customers and better serve their needs. Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred and were not significant.
The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation:
|
(In millions)
|
June 23, 2017
|
||
|
Allocation:
|
|||
|
Cash acquired
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
Merchandise inventory - net
|
68
|
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
36
|
|
|
|
Property
|
12
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
160
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
260
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
(9
|
)
|
|
|
Net assets acquired
|
$
|
513
|
|
Intangible assets acquired totaled
$259 million
, and include a trademark of
$34 million
with a useful life of
15
years and a customer list of
$225 million
with a useful life of
20
years, each of which are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The goodwill of
$160 million
is primarily attributable to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition and is deductible for tax purposes.
Pro forma and historical financial information has not been provided as the acquisition was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
7
Note
3
: Investment in Australian Joint Venture -
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company completed the sale of our interest in the Australian joint venture with Woolworths Limited and received proceeds of
$199 million
, which is included in cash flows from investing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The proceeds from the sale exceeded the carrying value of the investment and resulted in a gain of
$96 million
. The carrying value prior to the sale reflected the non-cash impairment charges taken in fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The gain is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of current and retained earnings.
Note
4
: Fair Value Measurements -
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
|
•
|
Level 1
-
inputs to the valuation techniques that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
|
|
•
|
Level 2
-
inputs to the valuation techniques that are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly
|
|
•
|
Level 3
-
inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities
|
Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
November 3, 2017
,
October 28, 2016
, and
February 3, 2017
. The fair values of these instruments approximated amortized costs.
|
Fair Value Measurements at
|
|||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
Measurement Level
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
February 3, 2017
|
|||||||||
|
Short-term investments:
|
|||||||||||||
|
Available-for-sale securities
|
|||||||||||||
|
Money market funds
|
Level 1
|
$
|
70
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
$
|
81
|
|
|||
|
Certificates of deposit
|
Level 1
|
15
|
|
55
|
|
15
|
|
||||||
|
Municipal obligations
|
Level 2
|
—
|
|
37
|
|
4
|
|
||||||
|
Municipal floating rate obligations
|
Level 2
|
—
|
|
3
|
|
—
|
|
||||||
|
Total short-term investments
|
$
|
85
|
|
$
|
123
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
||||
|
Long-term investments:
|
|||||||||||||
|
Available-for-sale securities
|
|||||||||||||
|
Municipal floating rate obligations
|
Level 2
|
$
|
368
|
|
$
|
430
|
|
$
|
359
|
|
|||
|
Certificates of deposit
|
Level 1
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
||||||
|
Municipal obligations
|
Level 2
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
5
|
|
||||||
|
Total long-term investments
|
$
|
370
|
|
$
|
436
|
|
$
|
366
|
|
||||
There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during any of the periods presented.
When available, quoted prices were used to determine fair value. When quoted prices in active markets were available, investments were classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. When quoted prices in active markets were not available, fair values were determined using pricing models, and the inputs to those pricing models were based on observable market inputs. The inputs to the pricing models were typically benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities, among others.
Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
During the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, the Company had no significant measurements of assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. During the
three and nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, the Company’s only significant assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition were certain long-lived assets, goodwill, and cost method investments, which were classified as
8
Level 3 fair value measurements. These non-cash impairment charges were included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of current and retained earnings.
The following table presents the Company’s non-financial assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the resulting impairment losses included in earnings for the three and nine months ended October 28, 2016. Because these assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, certain fair value measurements presented in the table may reflect values at earlier measurement dates and may no longer represent the fair values at October 28, 2016.
|
Fair Value Measurements
|
|
Impairment Losses
|
|||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
October 28, 2016
|
|
Three Months Ended October 28, 2016
|
|
Nine Months Ended October 28, 2016
|
|
|||||
|
Assets-held-for-use:
|
|||||||||||
|
Operating locations
|
$
|
3
|
|
$
|
(31
|
)
|
$
|
(34
|
)
|
||
|
Goodwill
|
—
|
|
(46
|
)
|
(46
|
)
|
|||||
|
Other assets:
|
|||||||||||
|
Cost method investments
|
103
|
|
(290
|
)
|
(290
|
)
|
|||||
|
Total
|
$
|
106
|
|
$
|
(367
|
)
|
$
|
(370
|
)
|
||
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt and are reflected in the financial statements at cost. With the exception of long-term debt, cost approximates fair value for these items due to their short-term nature. The fair values of the Company’s unsecured notes were estimated using quoted market prices. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the future cash outflows associated with these arrangements and discounted using the applicable incremental borrowing rate.
Carrying amounts and the related estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, excluding capitalized lease obligations, are as follows:
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
February 3, 2017
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
Carrying Amount
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Carrying Amount
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Carrying Amount
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Unsecured notes (Level 1)
|
$
|
14,958
|
|
$
|
15,974
|
|
$
|
14,318
|
|
$
|
15,948
|
|
$
|
14,321
|
|
$
|
15,305
|
|
|||||
|
Mortgage notes (Level 2)
|
7
|
|
7
|
|
10
|
|
10
|
|
7
|
|
7
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Long-term debt (excluding capitalized lease obligations)
|
$
|
14,965
|
|
$
|
15,981
|
|
$
|
14,328
|
|
$
|
15,958
|
|
$
|
14,328
|
|
$
|
15,312
|
|
|||||
Note
5
: Restricted Investment Balances -
Short-term and long-term investments include restricted balances pledged as collateral primarily for the Company’s extended protection plan program. Restricted balances included in short-term investments were
$70 million
at
November 3, 2017
,
$53 million
at
October 28, 2016
, and
$81 million
at
February 3, 2017
.
Restricted balances included in long-term investments were
$332 million
at
November 3, 2017
,
$348 million
at
October 28, 2016
, and
$354 million
at
February 3, 2017
.
Note
6
: Property
-
Property is shown net of accumulated depreciation of
$17.1 billion
at
November 3, 2017
,
$17.1 billion
at
October 28, 2016
, and
$17.0 billion
at
February 3, 2017
.
Note
7
: Extended Protection Plans -
The Company sells separately-priced extended protection plan contracts under a Lowe’s-branded program for which the Company is self-insured. The Company recognizes revenue from extended protection plan sales on a straight-line basis over the respective contract term. Extended protection plan contract terms primarily range from one to four years from the date of purchase or the end of the manufacturer’s warranty, as applicable. Changes in deferred revenue for extended protection plan contracts are summarized as follows:
9
|
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||||||||
|
Deferred revenue - extended protection plans, beginning of period
|
$
|
790
|
|
$
|
744
|
|
$
|
763
|
|
$
|
729
|
|
|||
|
Additions to deferred revenue
|
96
|
|
88
|
|
304
|
|
280
|
|
|||||||
|
Deferred revenue recognized
|
(92
|
)
|
(87
|
)
|
(273
|
)
|
(264
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Deferred revenue - extended protection plans, end of period
|
$
|
794
|
|
$
|
745
|
|
$
|
794
|
|
$
|
745
|
|
|||
Incremental direct acquisition costs associated with the sale of extended protection plans are also deferred and recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the respective contract term. Deferred costs associated with extended protection plan contracts were
$19 million
at
November 3, 2017
,
$17 million
at
October 28, 2016
, and
$18 million
at
February 3, 2017
. The Company’s extended protection plan deferred costs are included in other assets (noncurrent) on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All other costs, such as costs of services performed under the contract, general and administrative expenses, and advertising expenses are expensed as incurred.
The liability for extended protection plan claims incurred is included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and was not material in any of the periods presented. Expenses for claims are recognized when incurred and totaled
$43 million
and
$119 million
for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, respectively, and
$39 million
and
$107 million
for the
three and nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, respectively.
Note
8
: Long-Term Debt -
During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company issued
$3.0 billion
of unsecured notes as follows:
|
Issue Date
|
Principal Amount (in millions)
|
Maturity Date
|
Fixed vs. Floating
|
Interest Rate
|
Discount (in millions)
|
|||||||||
|
May 3, 2017
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
May 2027
|
Fixed
|
3.100%
|
$
|
9
|
|
|||||
|
May 3, 2017
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
May 2047
|
Fixed
|
4.050%
|
$
|
23
|
|
|||||
Interest on the notes issued in 2017 is payable semiannually in arrears in May and November of each year until maturity.
The indenture governing the notes issued in 2017 contains a provision that allows the Company to redeem these notes at any time, in whole or in part, at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. The indenture also contains a provision that allows the holders of the notes to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes if a change of control triggering event occurs. If elected under the change of control provisions, the repurchase of the notes will occur at a purchase price of
101%
of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such notes to the date of purchase. The indenture governing the notes does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that the Company may issue and does not require the Company to maintain specified financial ratios or levels of net worth or liquidity. However, the indenture includes various restrictive covenants, none of which is expected to impact the Company’s liquidity or capital resources.
Also during the first quarter, the Company completed a cash tender offer to purchase and retire
$1.6 billion
combined aggregate principal amount of its outstanding notes and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of
$464 million
.
Note
9
: Equity -
The Company has a share repurchase program that is executed through purchases made from time to time either in the open market, which may be made under pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or through private off-market transactions. Shares purchased under the repurchase program are retired and returned to authorized and unissued status. On January 27, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a
$5.0 billion
share repurchase program with no expiration, which was announced on the same day. As of
November 3, 2017
, the Company had
$2.1 billion
remaining in its share repurchase program.
In March 2017, the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase
$500 million
of the Company’s common stock. At inception, pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid
$500 million
to the financial institution using cash on hand, and took delivery of
5.3 million
shares. The Company finalized the transaction and received an additional
0.8 million
shares prior to the end of the first quarter.
10
In May 2017, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase
$500 million
of the Company’s common stock. At inception, pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid
$500 million
to the financial institution using cash on hand, and took delivery of
5.2 million
shares. The Company finalized the transaction and received an additional
1.2 million
shares prior to the end of the second quarter.
In August 2017, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase
$250 million
of the Company’s common stock. At inception, pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid
$250 million
to the financial institution using cash on hand, and took delivery of
2.9 million
shares. The Company finalized the transaction and received an additional
0.3 million
shares prior to the end of the third quarter.
Under the terms of each of the ASR agreements, upon settlement, the Company would either receive additional shares from the financial institution or be required to deliver additional shares or cash to the financial institution. The Company controlled its election to either deliver additional shares or cash to the financial institution and was subject to provisions which limited the number of shares the Company would be required to deliver.
The final number of shares received upon settlement of each of the ASR agreements was determined with reference to the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock over the term of the respective ASR agreement. The initial repurchase of shares under each of the agreements resulted in an immediate reduction of the outstanding shares used to calculate the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share.
Each of the ASR agreements was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction and forward stock purchase contract. The par value of the shares received was recorded as a reduction to common stock with the remainder recorded as a reduction to capital in excess of par value and retained earnings. The forward stock purchase contract was considered indexed to the Company’s own stock and was classified as an equity instrument.
During the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, the Company also repurchased shares of its common stock through the open market totaling
3.2 million
and
21.8 million
shares, respectively, for a cost of
$250 million
and
$1.8 billion
, respectively.
The Company also withholds shares from employees to satisfy either the exercise price of stock options exercised or the statutory withholding tax liability resulting from the vesting of share-based awards.
Shares repurchased for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, and
October 28, 2016
were as follows:
|
Three Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
Shares
|
|
Cost
1
|
|
Shares
|
|
Cost
1
|
|
|||||
|
Share repurchase program
|
6.4
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
8.3
|
|
$
|
550
|
|
|||
|
Shares withheld from employees
|
0.4
|
|
27
|
|
0.3
|
|
24
|
|
|||||
|
Total share repurchases
|
6.8
|
|
$
|
527
|
|
8.6
|
|
$
|
574
|
|
|||
|
1
|
Reductions of
$495 million
and $535 million were recorded to retained earnings, after capital in excess of par value was depleted, for the three months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, respectively.
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
Shares
|
|
Cost
2
|
|
Shares
|
|
Cost
2
|
|
|||||
|
Share repurchase program
|
37.5
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
39.0
|
|
$
|
2,949
|
|
|||
|
Shares withheld from employees
|
0.5
|
|
41
|
|
1.1
|
|
77
|
|
|||||
|
Total share repurchases
|
38.0
|
|
$
|
3,041
|
|
40.1
|
|
$
|
3,026
|
|
|||
|
2
|
Reductions of
$2.9 billion
and $2.8 billion were recorded to retained earnings, after capital in excess of par value was depleted, for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, respectively.
|
Note
10
: Earnings Per Share
-
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all of the net earnings for the period had been distributed. The Company’s participating securities consist of share-based
11
payment awards that contain a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends and, therefore, are considered to participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders.
Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing net earnings allocable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings allocable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares as of the balance sheet date, as adjusted for the potential dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards. The following table reconciles earnings per common share for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
:
|
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
(In millions, except per share data)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||||||||
|
Basic earnings per common share:
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Net earnings attributable to Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
|
$
|
872
|
|
$
|
378
|
|
$
|
2,893
|
|
$
|
2,428
|
|
|||
|
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities
|
(2
|
)
|
(2
|
)
|
(10
|
)
|
(9
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Net earnings allocable to common shares, basic
|
$
|
870
|
|
$
|
376
|
|
$
|
2,883
|
|
$
|
2,419
|
|
|||
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
831
|
|
873
|
|
843
|
|
884
|
|
|||||||
|
Basic earnings per common share
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
$
|
3.42
|
|
$
|
2.74
|
|
|||
|
Diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Net earnings attributable to Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
|
$
|
872
|
|
$
|
378
|
|
$
|
2,893
|
|
$
|
2,428
|
|
|||
|
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities
|
(2
|
)
|
(2
|
)
|
(10
|
)
|
(9
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Net earnings allocable to common shares, diluted
|
$
|
870
|
|
$
|
376
|
|
$
|
2,883
|
|
$
|
2,419
|
|
|||
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
831
|
|
873
|
|
843
|
|
884
|
|
|||||||
|
Dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
|||||||
|
Weighted-average common shares, as adjusted
|
832
|
|
874
|
|
844
|
|
886
|
|
|||||||
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
$
|
3.42
|
|
$
|
2.73
|
|
|||
Stock options to purchase
1.0 million
shares of common stock were anti-dilutive for the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
. Stock options to purchase
1.1 million
and
0.9 million
shares of common stock were anti-dilutive for the
three and nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, respectively.
Note
11
: Income Taxes
-
The Company’s effective income tax rates were
37.1%
and
51.2%
for the three months ended November 3, 2017 and October 28, 2016, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate for the three months ended November 3, 2017 was primarily attributable to the non-cash impairment charge associated with our investment in the Australian joint venture, which was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The loss was considered capital in nature and, since no capital gains were identified through which the Company could utilize this loss, a full deferred tax valuation allowance was established. As a result, the loss did not result in a tax benefit.
Our effective income tax rates were
36.3%
and
40.6%
for the nine months ended November 3, 2017 and October 28, 2016, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate for the nine months ended November 3, 2017 was primarily attributable to the non-cash impairment charge associated with our investment in the Australian joint venture, and from the sale of this investment during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, which did not result in tax expense due to the reduction of the previously established deferred tax valuation allowance. The lower effective income tax rate for the nine months ended November 3, 2017 was also driven by the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments after the adoption of ASU 2016-09. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein for more information regarding ASU 2016-09.
12
Note
12
: Supplemental Disclosure
Net interest expense is comprised of the following:
|
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||||||||
|
Long-term debt
|
$
|
146
|
|
$
|
151
|
|
$
|
438
|
|
$
|
437
|
|
|||
|
Capitalized lease obligations
|
14
|
|
13
|
|
41
|
|
40
|
|
|||||||
|
Interest income
|
(2
|
)
|
(4
|
)
|
(10
|
)
|
(10
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Interest capitalized
|
(2
|
)
|
(1
|
)
|
(4
|
)
|
(3
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Interest on tax uncertainties
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(1
|
)
|
2
|
|
|||||||
|
Other
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
15
|
|
20
|
|
|||||||
|
Interest - net
|
$
|
160
|
|
$
|
163
|
|
$
|
479
|
|
$
|
486
|
|
|||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||
|
(In millions)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||
|
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized
|
$
|
610
|
|
$
|
588
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes - net
|
$
|
1,322
|
|
$
|
1,657
|
|
|
|
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
|||||||
|
Non-cash property acquisitions, including assets acquired under capital lease
|
$
|
91
|
|
$
|
72
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends declared but not paid
|
$
|
341
|
|
$
|
306
|
|
|
13
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Mooresville, North Carolina
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, and the related consolidated statements of current and retained earnings, and comprehensive income for the fiscal three-month and nine-month periods ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, and of cash flows for the fiscal nine-month periods ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
. These consolidated interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
February 3, 2017
, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated April 3, 2017, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
February 3, 2017
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
December 5, 2017
14
Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, liquidity and capital resources during the
three and nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, and
October 28, 2016
. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 3, 2017
(the Annual Report), as well as the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) contained in this report. Unless otherwise specified, all comparisons made are to the corresponding period of
2016
. In fiscal 2017, there is a one week shift as a result of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016. For purposes of the following discussion, comparable store sales, comparable store average ticket and comparable store customer transactions are based upon comparable 13 week periods. This discussion and analysis is presented in six sections:
|
•
|
Executive Overview
|
|
•
|
Operations
|
|
•
|
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
|
•
|
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
|
|
•
|
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
|
|
•
|
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
|
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales and net earnings increased for the
third
quarter of
2017
by
6.5%
to
$16.8 billion
and
130.3%
to
$872 million
, respectively. Diluted earnings per common share increased 144.2% in the
third
quarter of
2017
to
$1.05
from
$0.43
in the
third
quarter of the prior year. Diluted earnings per common share in the third quarter of 2017 increased 19.3% from adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.88 in the same period of the prior year (see discussion of non-GAAP financial measures beginning on page 17). Continuing to deliver on our commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, during the
third
quarter of
2017
, we paid $344 million in dividends and repurchased $500 million of common stock through our share repurchase program.
During the
third
quarter of
2017
, all U.S. regions generated comparable sales increases as we drove increased traffic in-store and online with compelling messaging and integrated omni-channel experiences, while continuing to capitalize on a supportive macro-economic backdrop and customers’ continued desire to invest in their homes. In addition, all product categories generated positive comparable sales, with particular strength in Lumber & Building Materials, Appliances, and Rough Plumbing & Electrical. We continued to see strong demand from the Pro customer for the quarter with comparable sales above the company average.
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma positively impacted third quarter comparable sales by approximately 140 basis points. Our merchants, vendors, logistics, and store teams were able to work together seamlessly to ensure customers had the right products to protect and repair their homes. Our teams sent over 11,000 truckloads of product to impacted areas supporting both DIY and Pro customers as they prepared for the storms and worked to repair properties afterward. We also added Account Executive Pro Services (AEPs) to the Texas and Florida markets to support the incremental demand from Pro customers.
We continued to build upon our strong foundation with the Pro customer by continuing to optimize our product and service offerings to better serve their unique needs. During the quarter, we continued to drive Pro awareness through Pro-exclusive offers, digital focus on LowesForPros.com, and our growing Pro services team. The addition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters (MSH) and Central Wholesalers, Inc. further expanded our capabilities to serve the multi-family housing industry through enhanced product and service offerings while strengthening our platform with both new and existing Pro customers.
In addition, we continued to execute on our strategic priorities during the quarter, including leveraging our omni-channel capabilities to help customers achieve project results. We also continue to leverage our investments in Lowes.com to provide an upgraded online shopping experience by delivering an optimized mobile experience, improved product and content recommendations, refined search algorithms, optimized assortment informed by digital line reviews and expanded product views, including video content. We are working to further advance our online platform making it easier for customers to engage with our in-home Project Specialists and request services online, as well as working to centralize our process for providing installation quotes, allowing for greater efficiency and a more consistent customer experience.
15
Looking ahead, we plan to build upon our strong foundation by developing capabilities to anticipate and support customers’ evolving needs and continue to focus on strengthening our operating discipline and execution. We look forward to the introduction of Craftsman products in-store and online beginning in the second half of 2018. We believe this partnership with Stanley Black & Decker strengthens our ability to deliver on customer expectations across many product categories and will allow both DIY and Pro customers greater access to high quality, value-oriented product offerings for their next home improvement project. We also remain committed to balancing our promotional strategy with our pricing optimization efforts to improve profitability, and we will further leverage our new store leadership model and make investments in customer-facing hours in order to capitalize upon strong traffic trends to deliver an improved customer experience.
OPERATIONS
The following tables set forth the percentage relationship to net sales of each line item of the consolidated statements of current and retained earnings (unaudited), as well as the percentage change in dollar amounts from the prior period. These tables should be read in conjunction with the following discussion and analysis and the consolidated financial statements (unaudited), including the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
|
Three Months Ended
|
Basis Point Increase / (Decrease) in Percentage of Net Sales from Prior Period
|
|
Percentage Increase / (Decrease) in Dollar Amounts from Prior Period
|
|
|||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
2017 vs. 2016
|
|
2017 vs. 2016
|
|
||||||
|
Net sales
|
100.00
|
%
|
100.00
|
%
|
N/A
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|||
|
Gross margin
|
34.07
|
|
34.35
|
|
(28
|
)
|
5.7
|
|
|||
|
Expenses:
|
|||||||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
22.71
|
|
25.94
|
|
(323
|
)
|
(6.7
|
)
|
|||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
2.13
|
|
2.44
|
|
(31
|
)
|
(6.8
|
)
|
|||
|
Operating income
|
9.23
|
|
5.97
|
|
326
|
|
64.7
|
|
|||
|
Interest - net
|
0.96
|
|
1.04
|
|
(8
|
)
|
(2.1
|
)
|
|||
|
Pre-tax earnings
|
8.27
|
|
4.93
|
|
334
|
|
78.8
|
|
|||
|
Income tax provision
|
3.07
|
|
2.52
|
|
55
|
|
29.7
|
|
|||
|
Net earnings
|
5.20
|
%
|
2.41
|
%
|
279
|
|
130.3
|
%
|
|||
|
Nine Months Ended
|
Basis Point Increase / (Decrease) in Percentage of Net Sales from Prior Period
|
|
Percentage Increase / (Decrease) in Dollar Amounts from Prior Period
|
|
|||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
2017 vs. 2016
|
|
2017 vs. 2016
|
|
||||||
|
Net sales
|
100.00
|
%
|
100.00
|
%
|
N/A
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|||
|
Gross margin
|
34.23
|
|
34.59
|
|
(36
|
)
|
6.8
|
|
|||
|
Expenses:
|
|||||||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
21.87
|
|
23.02
|
|
(115
|
)
|
2.4
|
|
|||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
2.03
|
|
2.27
|
|
(24
|
)
|
(3.2
|
)
|
|||
|
Operating income
|
10.33
|
|
9.30
|
|
103
|
|
19.9
|
|
|||
|
Interest - net
|
0.91
|
|
0.99
|
|
(8
|
)
|
(1.4
|
)
|
|||
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
0.87
|
|
—
|
|
87
|
|
100.0
|
|
|||
|
Pre-tax earnings
|
8.55
|
|
8.31
|
|
24
|
|
11.1
|
|
|||
|
Income tax provision
|
3.10
|
|
3.37
|
|
(27
|
)
|
(0.6
|
)
|
|||
|
Net earnings
|
5.45
|
%
|
4.94
|
%
|
51
|
|
19.1
|
%
|
|||
16
|
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
Other Metrics
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||||||||
|
Comparable sales increase
1
|
5.7
|
%
|
2.7
|
%
|
4.0
|
%
|
3.9
|
%
|
|||||||
|
Total customer transactions (in millions)
2
|
231
|
|
229
|
|
742
|
|
718
|
|
|||||||
|
Average ticket
2, 3
|
$
|
72.63
|
|
$
|
68.65
|
|
$
|
71.59
|
|
$
|
68.59
|
|
|||
|
At end of period:
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Number of stores
|
2,144
|
|
2,119
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Sales floor square feet (in millions)
|
214
|
|
213
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Average store size selling square feet (in thousands)
4
|
100
|
|
100
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Return on invested capital
5
|
19.5
|
%
|
13.6
|
%
|
|||||||||||
|
1
|
A comparable location is defined as a location that has been open longer than 13 months.
A location that is identified for relocation is no longer considered comparable in the month of its relocation.
The relocated location must then remain open longer than 13 months to be considered comparable.
A location we have decided to close is no longer considered comparable as of the beginning of the month in which we announce its closing. Acquired locations are included in the comparable sales calculation beginning in the first full month following the first anniversary of the date of the acquisition. Comparable sales include online sales, which positively impacted third quarter fiscal 2017 comparable sales by approximately 95 basis points and fiscal 2017 comparable sales by approximately 105 basis points. The comparable store sales calculation included in the preceding table was calculated using comparable 13-week and 39-week periods, respectively.
|
|
2
|
In fiscal 2017, there was a one week shift as a result of the 53
rd
week in fiscal 2016.
|
|
3
|
Average ticket is defined as net sales divided by the total number of customer transactions.
|
|
4
|
Average store size selling square feet is defined as sales floor square feet divided by the number of stores open at the end of the period. The average Lowe’s-branded home improvement store has approximately 112,000 square feet of retail selling space.
|
|
5
|
Return on invested capital is a non-GAAP financial measure.
See below for additional information and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful insight for analysts and investors in evaluating what management considers the Company’s core financial performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of certain discrete items, as further described below, not contemplated in Lowe’s 2017 and 2016 original business outlooks. Unless otherwise noted, the income tax effect of these adjustments is calculated using the marginal rates for the respective periods.
|
•
|
In the third quarter of 2016, the company recognized $462 million of non-cash pre-tax charges which included the following:
|
|
•
|
$290 million impairment resulting from the wind down of our investment in the Australian joint venture with Woolworths Limited (Woolworths).
|
|
•
|
$96 million related to a write-off for projects that were canceled as part of the company’s ongoing review of strategic initiatives in an effort to focus on critical projects that will drive desired outcomes.
|
|
•
|
$76 million related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairments associated with the company’s Orchard Supply Hardware (Orchard) operations as part of a strategic reassessment of this business.
|
17
Adjusted diluted earnings per share should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful indicator of, the Company’s diluted earnings per common share as prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s methods of determining this non-GAAP financial measure may differ from the method used by other companies for this or similar non-GAAP financial measures. Accordingly, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to the measures used by other companies.
|
Three Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Pre-Tax Earnings
|
Tax
|
Net Earnings
|
Pre-Tax Earnings
|
Tax
|
Net Earnings
|
||||||||||||||
|
Diluted earnings per share, as reported
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Non-GAAP adjustments - per share impacts
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Australian joint venture impairment
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.33
|
|
—
|
|
0.33
|
|
|||||||
|
Project write-offs
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.11
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
0.07
|
|
|||||||
|
Orchard Supply Hardware goodwill and long-lived asset impairment
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.09
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
0.05
|
|
|||||||
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
$
|
0.88
|
|
|||||||||||||
Return on Invested Capital
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe ROIC is a meaningful metric for investors because it measures how effectively the Company uses capital to generate profits.
We define ROIC as trailing four quarters’ net operating profit after tax divided by the average of ending debt and equity for the last five quarters. Although ROIC is a common financial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating ROIC. Accordingly, the method used by our management to calculate ROIC may differ from the methods other companies use to calculate their ROIC. We encourage you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate its ROIC before comparing its ROIC to ours.
We consider return on average debt and equity to be the financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP that is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to ROIC. The difference between these two measures is that ROIC adjusts net earnings to exclude tax adjusted non-operating income/(expense).
18
The calculation of ROIC, together with a reconciliation to the calculation of return on average debt and equity, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, is as follows:
|
For the Periods Ended
|
|||||||
|
(In millions, except percentage data)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||||
|
Calculation of Return on Invested Capital
|
|||||||
|
Numerator
1
|
|||||||
|
Net earnings
|
$
|
3,556
|
|
$
|
2,441
|
|
|
|
Plus:
|
|||||||
|
Interest expense - net
|
639
|
|
630
|
|
|||
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
464
|
|
—
|
|
|||
|
Provision for income taxes
|
2,099
|
|
1,945
|
|
|||
|
Net operating profit
|
6,758
|
|
5,016
|
|
|||
|
Less:
|
|||||||
|
Income tax adjustment
2
|
2,509
|
|
2,066
|
|
|||
|
Net operating profit after tax
|
$
|
4,249
|
|
$
|
2,950
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate
|
37.1
|
%
|
44.3
|
%
|
|||
|
Denominator
|
|||||||
|
Average debt and equity
3
|
$
|
21,806
|
|
$
|
21,725
|
|
|
|
Return on invested capital
|
19.5
|
%
|
13.6
|
%
|
|||
|
Calculation of Return on Average Debt and Equity
|
|||||||
|
Numerator
1
|
|||||||
|
Net earnings
|
$
|
3,556
|
|
$
|
2,441
|
|
|
|
Denominator
|
|||||||
|
Average debt and equity
3
|
$
|
21,806
|
|
$
|
21,725
|
|
|
|
Return on average debt and equity
|
16.3
|
%
|
11.2
|
%
|
|||
1
Amounts used in the calculation of the numerator are based on the trailing four quarters.
2
Income tax adjustment is defined as net operating profit multiplied by the effective tax rate.
|
3
|
Average debt and equity is defined as average debt, including current maturities and short-term borrowings, plus total equity for the last five quarters.
|
Results of Operations
Net Sales –
Net sales in the
third
quarter of
2017
increased
6.5%
to
$16.8 billion
. The increase in total sales was driven primarily by an increase in comparable sales, the acquisitions of Maintenance Supply Headquarters and Central Wholesalers, Inc., and new stores partially offset by the calendar shift from the 53
rd
week in fiscal 2016. Comparable sales increased
5.7%
over the same period, driven by a 4.8% increase in comparable average ticket and a 0.9% increase in comparable customer transactions. Acquisitions and new stores contributed 0.7% and 0.5% to sales growth, respectively, while the calendar week shift negatively impacted sales 0.4% for the third quarter of 2017.
During the
third
quarter of
2017
, all product categories experienced comparable sales increases, with comparable sales increases above the company average in Lumber & Building Materials, Appliances, and Rough Plumbing & Electrical. Lumber & Building Materials benefited from an increased demand for hurricane-related products such as plywood, pressure-treated lumber, fencing, shingles, drywall, and insulation, an increase in Pro customer demand, and inflation. Strong brand and service advantages in Appliances, as well as our continued investment in customer experience both in-store and online, drove double-digit comparable sales during the quarter. We also achieved strong comparable sales in Rough Plumbing & Electrical driven by continued improvements in brand relevance and demand from the Pro customer.
Net sales
increased
7.9%
to
$53.1 billion
for the first nine months of
2017
compared to 2016. RONA represented 2.6% of the sales growth. Comparable sales increased 4.0% over the same period, primarily driven by a 3.9% increase in comparable average ticket and a 0.1% increase in customer transactions.
19
Gross Margin –
For the
third
quarter of
2017
, gross margin
decreased
28
basis points as a percentage of sales. Gross margin was negatively impacted by 25 basis points due to competitive actions and 20 basis points due to mix of products sold. These were partially offset by approximately 25 basis points of leverage as we cycled the inclusion of purchase price adjustments in the prior year related to RONA’s opening balance sheet primarily associated with inventory, as well as the mix of the RONA business.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales
decreased
36
basis points in the first nine months of
2017
compared to 2016 due to the same factors that impacted gross margin in the third quarter.
SG&A –
For the
third
quarter of
2017
, SG&A expense
leveraged
323
basis points as a percentage of sales compared to the
third
quarter of
2016
. This was primarily driven by 184 basis points of leverage due to the prior year non-cash impairment charge related to the investment in the Australian joint venture, 61 basis points of leverage associated with the prior year write-off of canceled technology-enabled projects, and 48 basis points of leverage associated with goodwill and long-lived asset impairments related to Orchard operations recorded in the prior year. In addition, operating salaries leveraged 27 basis points as we streamlined our store leadership model.
SG&A expense as a percentage of sales
leveraged
115
basis points in the first nine months of
2017
compared to
2016
. This was driven primarily by 77 basis points of leverage attributable to the prior year non-cash impairment charge and the current year sale of our interest in the Australian joint venture, 35 basis points of leverage in operating salaries, 19 basis points of leverage due to the prior year write-off of canceled technology-enabled projects, and 15 basis points of leverage associated with goodwill and long-lived asset impairments related to Orchard operations recorded in the prior year. These were partially offset by 15 basis points of deleverage primarily due to the prior year settlement of the foreign currency option contract entered into in advance of the RONA acquisition and 11 basis points of deleverage in risk insurance.
Depreciation and Amortization –
Depreciation and amortization
leveraged
31
basis points for the
third
quarter of
2017
compared to the prior year primarily due to the increase in sales and assets becoming fully depreciated, partially offset by incremental expense due to the acquisition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters. Property, less accumulated depreciation, decreased to
$19.8 billion
at
November 3, 2017
, compared to
$20.0 billion
at
October 28, 2016
. As of
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, we owned 78% and 79% of our stores, respectively, which included stores on leased land.
Depreciation and amortization
leveraged
24
basis points for the first nine months of
2017
compared to
2016
due to the same factors that impacted depreciation and amortization for the
third
quarter.
Interest – Net
– Interest expense for the
third
quarter and first nine months of
2017
decreased
primarily as a result of the cash tender offer to purchase and retire $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of our outstanding notes and the payoff of scheduled debts at maturity. These were partially offset by the issuance of unsecured notes in April 2016 and May 2017, respectively.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
– During the first quarter of
2017
, we repurchased and retired $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $464 million.
Income Tax Provision –
Our effective income tax rates were
37.1%
and
51.2%
for the three months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, respectively. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge associated with our investment in the Australian joint venture. The loss was considered capital in nature and, since no capital gains were identified through which the Company could utilize this loss, a full deferred tax valuation allowance was established. As a result, the loss did not result in a tax benefit.
Our effective income tax rates were
36.3%
and
40.6%
for the nine months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate for the nine months ended November 3, 2017 was primarily attributable to the non-cash impairment charge associated with our investment in the Australian joint venture, and from the sale of this investment during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, which did not result in tax expense due to the reduction of the previously established deferred tax valuation allowance.
During
2017
, we adopted ASU 2016-09 regarding improvements to employee share-based accounting requiring entities to recognize excess tax benefits and deficiencies within income taxes. Previously, excess tax benefits and certain tax deficiencies were recorded within equity. This change resulted in a favorable discrete item for the nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, and reduced our effective income tax rate by 76 basis points.
20
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flow activities for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
and
October 28, 2016
:
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||
|
(In millions)
|
November 3, 2017
|
October 28, 2016
|
|||
|
Net cash provided by (used in):
|
|||||
|
Operating activities
|
5,372
|
|
5,269
|
|
|
|
Investing activities
|
(1,072
|
)
|
(3,052
|
)
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
(4,130
|
)
|
(1,656
|
)
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities continued to provide the primary source of our liquidity. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, versus the
nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, was driven primarily by an increase in net earnings adjusted for non‐cash expenses partially offset by changes in working capital.
The decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, versus the
nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, was driven primarily by a decrease in cash used to acquire businesses and a decrease in purchases of investments and derivative instruments, partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from the sale/maturity of investments and derivative instruments. We used $509 million to acquire Maintenance Supply Headquarters during the first nine months of 2017 compared to $2.3 billion to acquire RONA during the first nine months of 2016.
The increase in cash used in financing activities for the
nine months ended
November 3, 2017
, versus the
nine months ended
October 28, 2016
, was driven primarily by the completion of a cash tender offer in May 2017, a decrease in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, and an increase in repayments of short-term borrowings. We paid approximately $2.0 billion to purchase $1.6 billion of our higher coupon notes prior to maturity in connection with the cash tender offer. We issued $3.0 billion of unsecured notes to fund the tender offer and finance current year maturities (see Note
8
to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information). In April 2016, we issued $3.3 billion of unsecured notes to fund the acquisition of RONA.
Sources of Liquidity
Liquidity is provided primarily by our cash flows from operations, short-term borrowing facilities, and long-term debt.
We have a $1.75 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks that expires in November 2021. Subject to obtaining commitments from the lenders and satisfying other conditions specified in the credit agreement, we may increase the aggregate availability by an additional $500 million. The credit facility supports our commercial paper program and has a $500 million letter of credit sublimit. Letters of credit issued pursuant to the credit facility reduce the amount available for borrowing under its terms. Borrowings made are unsecured and priced at fixed rates based upon market conditions at the time of funding in accordance with the terms of the credit facility. The credit agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants for a transaction of this type. We were in compliance with those covenants at
November 3, 2017
. As of
November 3, 2017
, there were $171 million of outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program and no outstanding borrowings or letters of credit under the credit facility.
We expect to continue to have access to the capital markets on both short- and long-term bases when needed for liquidity purposes by issuing commercial paper or new long-term debt. The availability and the borrowing costs of these funds could be adversely affected, however, by a downgrade of our debt ratings or a deterioration of certain financial ratios. The table below reflects our debt ratings by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s as of
December 5, 2017
, which we are disclosing to enhance understanding of our sources of liquidity and the effect of our ratings on our cost of funds. Although we currently do not expect a downgrade in our debt ratings, our commercial paper and senior debt ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
21
|
Debt Ratings
|
S&P
|
Moody’s
|
|
Commercial Paper
|
A-2
|
P-2
|
|
Senior Debt
|
A-
|
A3
|
|
Senior Debt Outlook
|
Stable
|
Stable
|
We believe that net cash provided by operating and financing activities will be adequate not only for our operating requirements, but also for investments in our existing stores and distribution facilities, investments in information technology, expansion plans, acquisitions, if any, and to return cash to shareholders through both dividends and share repurchases over the next 12 months. There are no provisions in any agreements that would require early cash settlement of existing debt or leases as a result of a downgrade in our debt rating or a decrease in our stock price. In addition, we do not believe it will be necessary to repatriate significant cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held in foreign affiliates to fund domestic operations.
Cash Requirements
Capital expenditures
Our fiscal
2017
capital forecast is approximately $1.2 billion. Investments in our existing stores, including investments in remerchandising, store equipment, and technology, are expected to account for approximately 45% of net cash outflow. Our expansion plans are expected to account for approximately 30% of planned net cash outflow. Approximately 20% of planned net cash outflow is for corporate programs, including investments to enhance the customer experience, as well as enhancements to the corporate infrastructure. Other planned capital expenditures, accounting for approximately 5% of planned net cash outflow, are for investments in our existing distribution network.
Debt and capital
Unsecured debt of $250 million is scheduled to mature in September 2018. See Note
8
to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information regarding long-term debt, including fiscal year
2017
financing activities.
We have an ongoing share repurchase program, authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, which is executed through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private off-market transactions. Shares purchased under the share repurchase program are retired and returned to authorized and unissued status. As of
November 3, 2017
, we had
$2.1 billion
remaining available under our share repurchase program with no expiration date. Our fiscal year
2017
guidance assumes approximately $3.5 billion in share repurchases for the fiscal year. See Note
9
to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information regarding share repurchases.
Dividends declared during the
third
quarter of 2017 totaled
$341 million
. Our dividend payment dates are established such that dividends are paid in the quarter immediately following the quarter in which they are declared.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Other than in connection with executing operating leases, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing that has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material, current or future effect on our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
During the first quarter of 2017, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured notes in the ordinary course of business and used the proceeds from this issuance to repurchase $1.6 billion of unsecured debt before maturity. We also repaid $750 million of debt maturities during the first nine months of 2017. The table below summarizes our contractual obligations relating to long-term debt, excluding capitalized lease obligations, at
November 3, 2017
. Interest payments included in the table below are calculated based on the rates in effect at
November 3, 2017
. The unsecured notes are further described in Note
8
to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
22
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
(In millions)
|
Total
|
|
Less Than 1 Year
|
|
1-3 Years
|
|
4-5 Years
|
|
After 5 Years
|
|
|||||||||
|
Long-term debt (principal amounts, excluding discounts and debt issuance costs)
|
$
|
15,115
|
|
$
|
251
|
|
$
|
1,551
|
|
$
|
1,786
|
|
$
|
11,527
|
|
||||
|
Long-term debt (interest payments)
|
9,350
|
|
576
|
|
1,111
|
|
1,013
|
|
6,650
|
|
|||||||||
|
Total
|
$
|
24,465
|
|
$
|
827
|
|
$
|
2,662
|
|
$
|
2,799
|
|
$
|
18,177
|
|
||||
As of
November 3, 2017
, there were no other material changes to our contractual obligations and commercial commitments outside the ordinary course of business since the end of
2016
. Refer to the Annual Report for additional information regarding our contractual obligations and commercial commitments.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in the Annual Report. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report. Our significant and critical accounting policies have not changed significantly since the filing of the Annual Report.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “desire,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “strategy,” “potential,” “opportunity,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe’s plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions by Lowe’s and the expected impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third-party installers. In addition, we could experience impairment losses if either the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values, or we are required to reduce the carrying amount of our investment in certain unconsolidated entities. With respect to acquisitions, potential risks include the effect of such transactions on Lowe’s and the target company’s strategic relationships, operating results and businesses
23
generally; our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, IT and other systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; increasing the scope, geographic diversity, and complexity of our operations; significant integration costs or unknown liabilities; and failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read “Item 1A - Risk Factors” and “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.
The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this Form 10-Q or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this Form 10-Q are qualified by these cautionary statements and the risk factors disclosed in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in the Annual Report and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Item 3. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to certain market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to our international operations, interest rates, and commodity prices. The Company’s market risks have not changed materially from that disclosed in the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2017.
Item 4. - Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of
November 3, 2017
, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the SEC (1) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In addition, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended
November 3, 2017
, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
24
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. - Legal Proceedings
The Company is from time to time a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, the Company records reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company maintains liability insurance for certain risks that are subject to certain self-insurance limits.
Item 1A. - Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in the Annual Report.
Item 2.
-
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases of the Company’s common stock made during the
third
quarter of fiscal
2017
:
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased
1
|
|
Average Price Paid per Share
|
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
2
|
|
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
2
|
|
||||||
|
August 5, 2017 - September 1, 2017
3
|
4,638,797
|
|
$
|
77.21
|
|
4,638,074
|
|
$
|
2,197,136,831
|
|
|||
|
September 2, 2017 - October 6, 2017
|
1,161,732
|
|
78.65
|
|
823,328
|
|
2,132,162,709
|
|
|||||
|
October 7, 2017 - November 3, 2017
3
|
963,108
|
|
79.95
|
|
962,287
|
|
2,076,164,467
|
|
|||||
|
As of November 3, 2017
|
6,763,637
|
|
$
|
77.84
|
|
6,423,689
|
|
$
|
2,076,164,467
|
|
|||
|
1
|
The total number of shares repurchased includes shares withheld from employees to satisfy either the exercise price of stock options or the statutory withholding tax liability upon the vesting of share-based awards.
|
|
2
|
On January 27, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $5.0 billion share repurchase program with no expiration, which was announced on the same day.
|
|
3
|
In August 2017, the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) agreement with a third-party financial institution to repurchase
$250 million
of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid
$250 million
to the financial institution and received an initial delivery of
2.9 million
shares. In November 2017, prior to the end of the third quarter of 2017, the Company finalized the transaction and received an additional
0.3 million
shares. The average price paid per share in settlement of the ASR agreement included in the table above was determined with reference to the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock over the term of the ASR agreement. See Note
9
to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information regarding share repurchases.
|
25
Item 6. - Exhibits
|
Exhibit
Number
|
Incorporated by Reference
|
|||||||||
|
Exhibit Description
|
Form
|
File No.
|
Exhibit
|
Filing Date
|
||||||
|
3.1
|
10-Q
|
001-07898
|
3.1
|
September 1, 2009
|
||||||
|
3.2
|
8-K
|
001-07898
|
3.1
|
May 31, 2016
|
||||||
|
12.1
|
||||||||||
|
15.1
|
||||||||||
|
31.1
|
||||||||||
|
31.2
|
||||||||||
|
32.1
|
||||||||||
|
32.2
|
||||||||||
|
101.INS
|
XBRL Instance Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
101.SCH
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
101.CAL
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
101.DEF
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
101.LAB
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
101.PRE
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.‡
|
|||||||||
|
‡
|
Filed herewith.
|
|||||||||
|
†
|
Furnished herewith.
|
|||||||||
26
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.
|
||
|
(Registrant)
|
||
|
December 5, 2017
|
By: /s/ Matthew V. Hollifield
|
|
|
Date
|
Matthew V. Hollifield
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |
|
27
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Financial InformationprintItem 1. Financial StatementsprintNote 1 : Summary Of Significant Accounting PoliciesprintNote 8 : Long-term Debt - During The First Quarter Of Fiscal 2017, The Company Issued $ 3. 0 Billion Of Unsecured Notes As Follows:printNote 12 : Supplemental DisclosureprintItem 3. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskprintItem 4. - Controls and ProceduresprintPart II Other InformationprintItem 1. - Legal ProceedingsprintItem 1A. - Risk FactorsprintItem 2. - Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of ProceedsprintItem 6. - Exhibitsprint