Fourth Quarter results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $127.1 billion, an increase of 3.9 percent from $122.3 billion in last year's fourth quarter. On a constant currency basis1, net sales would have increased 3.7 percent to $126.8 billion. Membership and other income decreased 7.8 percent to $815 million, due to lower other income. Total revenue for the fourth quarter was $127.9 billion, a 3.9 percent increase over last year.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for the fourth quarter was $5.6 billion, up 7.9 percent. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart (EPS) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $1.67.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was 27.7 percent, which was lower than the company's expectations, and compares to 30.9 percent last year. The fourth quarter effective tax rate benefited from a number of discrete tax items, including positive impact from fiscal 2013 legislative changes, most notably the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. In comparison, EPS for the fourth quarter of last year were $1.51.

Fiscal 2013 results

Consolidated net sales for the full fiscal year were $466.1 billion, an increase of 5.0 percent over fiscal 2012. Net sales included approximately $4.0 billion from acquisitions and approximately $4.5 billion of negative impact from currency exchange rate fluctuations. Membership and other income was $3.0 billion, a decrease of 1.6 percent from the prior year. Total revenue was $469.2 billion, an increase of 5.0 percent or $22.2 billion.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart was $17.0 billion, a 7.8 percent increase from $15.8 billion last year. For fiscal 2013, EPS were $5.02 versus last year's EPS of $4.54, an increase of 10.6 percent. The effective tax rate for the full year was 31.0 percent, compared to 32.6 percent for the prior year. This rate was below the company's annual guidance of 32.5 to 33.5 percent, primarily due to the fourth quarter discrete tax items noted above.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) reported fiscal year 2013 fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (EPS) of $1.67, a 10.6 percent increase compared to last year. Full year EPS were $5.02, also a 10.6 percent increase over last year. The company's quarter and full year performance benefited from a lower than expected effective tax rate. Last year's fourth quarter EPS were $1.51.

The company announced its annual fiscal year 2014 dividend of $1.88 per share, an 18 percent increase or $0.29 per share, over last year's dividend of $1.59 per share. [Note: Please see separate release on dividend dated Feb. 21, 2013.]

Walmart U.S. added more than $10 billion in net sales during fiscal year 2013, including approximately $4.7 billion in comp sales. For the fourth quarter, Walmart U.S. reported a 1.0 percent comp sales increase. Walmart U.S. gained market share1 in "food, consumables, health & wellness/OTC," as well as the entertainment categories and toys.