Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Jan. 31, 2012.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 were $122.3 billion, an increase of 5.8 percent from $115.6 billionin last year’s fourth quarter. Net sales for the quarter included $2.4 billion of positive impact from the acquisitions of the Netto stores in the U.K. and Massmart in South Africa. Net sales included approximately $1.0 billion of negative impact from currency exchange rates. Before acquisitions, and on a constant currency basis, net sales grew 4.5 percent to $120.9 billion.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for the quarter was $5.2 billion, up 3.4 percent from$5.0 billion last year.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart (EPS) for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $1.51. EPS for the quarter benefited $0.07 from the following items:

• A net pre-tax benefit of $68 million related to a real estate gain and store closure transactions in Brazil; and
• A benefit of $187 million from income tax expense being lower than anticipated for the quarter.

The company’s EPS guidance for the quarter of $1.42 to $1.48 did not include these net benefits. In comparison, EPS for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year was $1.41, which included a net tax benefit of $243 million, or approximately $0.07 per share.

Fiscal 2012 results

Consolidated net sales for the full fiscal year were $443.9 billion, an increase of 5.9 percent over fiscal year 2011. Net sales included approximately $4.7 billion of positive impact from acquisitions and approximately $4.0 billion of positive impact from currency exchange rates. Before acquisitions, and on a constant currency basis, net sales grew 3.9 percent to $435.1 billion.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart was $15.8 billion, a 2.7 percent increase from $15.4 billion last year.

For fiscal year 2012, EPS was $4.54 versus last year’s EPS of $4.18. This fiscal year included net benefits of certain items of $0.05 compared to $0.11 last year.

Earnings performance

“We are pleased with Walmart’s earnings performance for both the fourth quarter and the full year,” said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. “Today, every segment of our business is stronger than it was a year ago, and we’re in a great position for fiscal year 2013.”

Duke recognized the progress Walmart U.S. made during the quarter.

“Walmart U.S. reported positive comps of 1.5 percent for the fourth quarter including positive comp traffic. This is now the second consecutive quarter of positive comp sales,” he said. “Our price leadership is making a difference across the United States, as many families are settling into a new normal. Core customers remain cautious about their finances, and they rely on Walmart’s EDLP promise to help them manage through today’s economic challenges.”

Duke also recognized the solid full year results of Walmart International and Sam’s Club.

“Walmart International delivered strong growth through both comp store sales and a record number of new units, including the acquisitions of Netto and Massmart,” said Duke. “The leadership teams are focused on improving profitability, and our ‘Powered by Walmart’ initiatives will strengthen productivity and reduce expenses in our markets.

“Sam’s Club comp sales have been consistently strong throughout the year, and we expect this momentum to continue in fiscal year 2013,” Duke said. “Operational efficiencies contributed to expense leverage and improved member experience.

“Our company leveraged expenses for both the quarter and the full year,” said Duke. “In fact, Walmart has now leveraged operating expenses for two consecutive years. We have a relentless focus on the productivity loop to drive down costs and pass those savings on to customers. And as I look forward to our 50^th anniversary this year, I see tremendous opportunities still ahead for our company and our shareholders.”

Strong returns

During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased approximately 22.9 million shares for $1.3 billion, bringing the full year repurchases to 115.3 million shares for $6.3 billion. In addition, the company paid $1.2 billion and$5.0 billion in dividends for the quarter and year, respectively. For the year, Walmart returned $11.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Walmart ended the year with free cash flow of $10.7 billion¹, compared to $10.9 billion¹ in the prior year. The modest decline in free cash flow was primarily due to capital expenditures outpacing the growth in net cash from operating activities.

Return on investment (ROI) for the year ended Jan. 31, 2012 was 18.6 percent¹, compared to 19.2 percent¹ for the prior year. ROI was impacted adversely by additional investments in property, plant and equipment (PP&E), Global eCommerce, and higher inventories, as well as price investment ahead of full realization of productivity improvements. In future quarters, productivity gains are expected to more closely align with price investments. Additionally, to a lesser degree, ROI was positively impacted by currency gains, but offset by acquisitions.

EPS guidance

“Our operating segments are well positioned for this fiscal year. Taking into consideration the current economy and operating environment, we expect first quarter fiscal 2013 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart to range between $1.01 and $1.06,” said Charles Holley, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “In fiscal year 2012, we reported EPS of $0.98 for the first quarter, which included a $0.01 net benefit from multiple items.

“Looking at our goals for the full fiscal year, we expect continued growth in sales and earnings. We also plan to deliver strong free cash flow,” Holley said. “For the full year, we expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart to range between $4.72 and $4.92. This compares to the EPS of$4.54, which we reported today and included $0.05 of net benefits from certain items. All EPS guidance assumes that currency rates remain at today’s levels and take into account our forecast for the fiscal 2013 effective tax rate to range between 32.5 percent and 33.5 percent.”

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