Summary
Walmart Inc. reported its first-quarter results for fiscal year 2010, ending April 30, 2009. Total net sales saw a slight decrease of 0.6% year-over-year, primarily impacted by unfavorable currency exchange rates in the International segment which contributed significantly to the decline. Despite the dip in overall sales, the Walmart U.S. segment demonstrated resilience with a 3.8% increase in net sales, driven by expansion, strong grocery sales, and a 1.6% rise in comparable store sales. The company's diluted earnings per share from continuing operations saw a modest increase to $0.77 from $0.76 in the prior year's quarter. Financially, the company maintained a solid gross profit margin which increased to 24.7% from 24.1% due to effective merchandising and inventory management. However, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales rose, mainly due to increased health benefit costs in the U.S. and currency impacts internationally. Management highlighted ongoing investments in information systems as a factor for increased corporate expenses. The company also announced a new $15 billion share repurchase program, replacing the previous one, indicating continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
Financial Highlights
47 data points| Revenue | $93.47B |
| Cost of Revenue | $70.39B |
| Gross Profit | $23.08B |
| SG&A Expenses | $18.64B |
| Operating Income | $5.22B |
| Interest Expense | $448.00M |
| Net Income | $3.00B |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.25 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.25 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 11.76B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 11.79B |
Key Highlights
- 1Total net sales decreased by 0.6% to $93.47 billion, primarily due to a significant negative impact from currency exchange rates on the International segment (-11.1% sales decline).
- 2Walmart U.S. segment showed strength with net sales increasing by 3.8% to $61.24 billion, supported by a 1.6% increase in comparable store sales.
- 3Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Wal-Mart increased slightly to $0.77 from $0.76 in the prior year period.
- 4Gross profit margin improved to 24.7% from 24.1%, attributed to better merchandising, inventory management, and a favorable sales mix.
- 5Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased by 0.5 percentage points, driven by higher health benefit costs in the U.S. and currency effects internationally.
- 6The company declared a dividend of $1.09 per share, an increase of 15% over the previous fiscal year.
- 7A new $15 billion share repurchase program was authorized, replacing the prior program.