8-K/AOther Events

Walmart Inc. 8-K/A Report (Feb 21, 2003)

Filed February 21, 2003For Securities:WMT

Summary

This filing is an amendment (8-K/A) to a previous 8-K report filed by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on February 18, 2003. The primary purpose of this amendment, filed on February 21, 2003, is to correct specific details within a news release that was originally issued on February 18, 2003. This news release pertained to Wal-Mart's unaudited financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended January 31, 2003. Investors should note that the corrections primarily involve the average number of common shares outstanding for the quarter ended January 31, 2002. The amendment clarifies that the basic and diluted average shares outstanding for that period should have been 4,456 million and 4,473 million, respectively. Additionally, a consequential adjustment has been made to the reported earnings per share (EPS) growth rate, specifically the impact of accounting changes for goodwill. The corrected release indicates that, when adjusted for this accounting change, basic EPS would have shown an 11.8% increase over the prior fiscal year's corresponding period. The corrected news release is included as Exhibit 99.1.

Key Highlights

  • 1Amendment to a previous 8-K filing to correct factual errors in a February 18, 2003, news release.
  • 2The corrections relate to Wal-Mart's fiscal year and fourth-quarter results ending January 31, 2003.
  • 3Specifically corrected are the basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for the quarter ended January 31, 2002.
  • 4The correct figures for average basic and diluted shares outstanding for Q4 FY2002 are now reported as 4,456 million and 4,473 million, respectively.
  • 5An adjustment has been made to the reported EPS growth, stating that adjusted for goodwill accounting changes, basic EPS growth would have been 11.8% compared to the prior year's period.
  • 6The filing includes a corrected news release (Exhibit 99.1) reflecting these financial data adjustments.
  • 7The report was filed on February 21, 2003, to ensure accurate dissemination of financial information.

Frequently Asked Questions

This amended 8-K filing (8-K/A) is being made to correct specific figures related to the average number of common shares outstanding and the reported earnings per share growth in Wal-Mart's news release from February 18, 2003. These corrections ensure the accuracy of the company's fiscal year and fourth-quarter financial results ending January 31, 2003.

The primary corrections involve the average number of common shares outstanding for the quarter ended January 31, 2002. The corrected figures are 4,456 million for basic average shares and 4,473 million for diluted average shares. Additionally, the reported EPS growth calculation, specifically an 11.8% increase adjusted for goodwill accounting changes, was refined.

This amendment corrects specific share count and EPS calculation details within the previously issued press release. While it refines the exact EPS growth metrics and share counts, it primarily serves to ensure the accuracy of the disclosed figures rather than altering the fundamental financial performance narrative for the period.

The mention of 'change in accounting for goodwill' suggests that Wal-Mart adopted a new accounting standard or made a change in how it accounts for goodwill during the period. This would impact how earnings per share are calculated, and the amendment clarifies the EPS growth rate when this specific accounting change is accounted for, providing a more like-for-like comparison with the prior year.