10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2007

Walmart Inc. Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Oct 31, 2006

Filed November 30, 2006For Securities:WMT

Summary

Walmart Inc. reported strong revenue growth for the third quarter and nine months ended October 31, 2006. Net sales increased by 12.0% year-over-year for both periods, driven by solid performance across all segments, particularly the International segment which saw a 33.7% increase in the quarter due to recent acquisitions. The company also demonstrated improved profitability, with net income rising 11.5% in the quarter and operating income showing consistent growth across segments. Significant investments in capital expenditures and strategic acquisitions, such as Seiyu and Sonae, are evident, contributing to asset growth and expanded global reach. The company also continued its commitment to shareholder returns through dividend increases and share repurchases, reflecting confidence in its financial health and future prospects.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 increased by 12.0% to $83.5 billion, driven by strong performance in the International segment (up 33.7%) and Wal-Mart Stores (up 7.8%).
  • 2Net income for the quarter grew 11.5% to $2.65 billion, or $0.63 per diluted share, reflecting improved operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives.
  • 3The International segment's net sales growth was significantly boosted by the consolidation of Seiyu, Sonae, and CARHCO, which contributed 18.6 percentage points to the quarterly increase.
  • 4Despite increased operating expenses (19.4% of net sales), gross margin improved to 23.7% for the quarter due to positive growth in the International and Wal-Mart Stores segments.
  • 5The company made substantial capital expenditures of $11.4 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, primarily for property and equipment, indicating ongoing investment in growth and infrastructure.
  • 6Walmart repurchased $3.6 billion in shares in the first nine months of fiscal 2006, and announced an increase in its annual dividend to $0.67 per share, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns.
  • 7The company is actively managing its portfolio by divesting operations in South Korea and Germany, which are now reported as discontinued operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the three months ended October 31, 2006, Walmart reported net sales of $83.543 billion, an increase of 12.0% compared to $74.596 billion in the prior year period. For the nine months ended October 31, 2006, net sales were $246.902 billion, also a 12.0% increase from $220.527 billion in the prior year period.

The Wal-Mart Stores segment saw a 7.8% increase in net sales for the quarter to $54.179 billion. Sam's Club's net sales increased by 1.9% to $10.206 billion. The International segment experienced significant growth of 33.7%, reaching $19.158 billion in net sales, largely due to acquisitions of Seiyu, Sonae, and CARHCO.

Net income for the quarter ended October 31, 2006, was $2.647 billion, a 11.5% increase from $2.374 billion in the prior year. Diluted EPS was $0.63 for the quarter, up from $0.57 in the comparable prior year quarter.

The International segment's substantial growth was driven by increased sales at existing units, continued expansion, and the consolidation of newly acquired or majority-owned subsidiaries including The Seiyu, Ltd. (Seiyu), Sonae Distribuição Brasil S.A. (Sonae), and Central American Retail Holding Company (CARHCO). These acquisitions collectively contributed 18.6 percentage points to the segment's net sales increase during the third quarter.

Walmart is involved in numerous legal proceedings, including class-action lawsuits concerning wage and hour disputes, exempt status, and alleged discrimination. The company is also subject to investigations and potential liabilities related to hazardous materials handling. While the company is contesting many of these matters and cannot reasonably estimate potential losses for all of them, it has made accruals where appropriate and will record liabilities if adverse outcomes occur. The company is cooperating with authorities in ongoing investigations.