Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) reported first quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.14, a 4.6 percent increase compared to last year's first quarter EPS of $1.09.
Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club, excluding fuel, expect to increase comps for the Q2 13-week period to between flat and 2 percent and 1 and 3 percent, respectively.
The company expects to deliver EPS for Q2 between $1.22 and $1.27, compared to $1.18 last year.
Walmart U.S. comp sales declined 1.4 percent in the 13-week period from Jan. 26 to Apr. 26, 2013. Comp sales performance was impacted by a delay in income tax refund checks, challenging weather conditions, less grocery inflation than expected and the payroll tax increase. Walmart U.S. gained market share1 in the measured category of "food, consumables and health & wellness/OTC."
Walmart International grew net sales 2.9 percent to $33.0 billion. On a constant currency basis2, Walmart International's net sales would have increased 5.4 percent to $33.8 billion. Walmart International gained market share3 in a majority of the countries in which we operate.
Comp sales, without fuel, at Sam's Club were up 0.2 percent during the period, pressured by softer business member traffic, weather and lower than expected inflation.
Consolidated net sales reached $113.4 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 1.0 percent. Currency exchange rate fluctuations had a negative impact on net sales of $1.0 billion.
Consolidated operating income was $6.5 billion, an increase of 1.1 percent over last year.
Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club grew operating income 5.9 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.
Walmart reported free cash flow2 of $1.9 billion for the quarter ended Apr. 30, 2013.
The company returned $3.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter.