Q1 FY'13 sales rise marginally at Walmart

Net sales for the first quarter were $113.4 billion, an increase of 1.0 percent over last year. Net sales last year benefited by 1.0 percent from the extra day due to leap year. On a constant currency basis1, net sales would have increased 1.8 percent to $114.2 billion.

Membership and other income increased 1.6 percent versus last year, due primarily to an increase in membership income. Total revenue for the first quarter was $114.2 billion, a 1.0 percent increase over last year.

Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart for the first quarter was $3.8 billion, up 1.1 percent. Diluted earnings per share attributable to Walmart (EPS) were $1.14, a 4.6 percent increase, compared to $1.09 last year.

Solid earnings performance

"In a quarter marked by considerable headwinds to top line sales, Walmart delivered solid EPS growth of 4.6 percent," said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer.

"Walmart's mission is simple and focused -- to help people save money so they can live better. When we simplify and focus our execution against this mission, it's easy for our associates to prioritize what they have to do to serve our customers.

"I'm confident about our long-term strategy and the direction Walmart is headed," Duke added. "Our expectations about our U.S. businesses' performance, coupled with more discipline in International, will allow us to improve our performance throughout the year."

Duke also noted that e-commerce sales grew more than 30 percent in the first quarter versus last year.

"There is no doubt that our company is making the right investments in e-commerce to differentiate ourselves and become a better Walmart," said Duke. "And with our sales growth in the first quarter, we believe our investments are paying off."

Leverage

The company's operating expense leverage was relatively flat for the first quarter, but the commitment to leverage for the full year remains a priority.

"We are proud that our U.S. segments leveraged operating expenses in the first quarter, and we expect them to continue leveraging," said Duke.

"To operate in a difficult sales environment requires disciplined expense and productivity management, the core of EDLC and EDLP. We are committed to have the total company achieve expense leverage for the year."

"Although we believe our company will leverage expenses for the year, the second quarter will be challenging, given expense pressures in International and our corporate area," said Charles Holley, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

"Expense leverage may not be delivered evenly across the quarters, but we believe that by executing our plans, we will continue to reduce expenses and improve productivity."