Lowe's Reports Third Quarter Sales and Earnings Results06:00 EST Monday, November 19, 2012 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Business Wire) -- Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), the world's second largest home improvement retailer, today reported net earnings of $396 million for the quarter ended November 2, 2012, a 76.0 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 94.4 percent to $0.35. For the nine months ended November 2, 2012, net earnings increased 10.1 percent from the same period a year ago to $1.67 billion, while diluted earnings per share increased 21.4 percent to $1.42. Included in the above reported results are charges related to long-lived asset impairments, discontinued projects, and a change in the discount rate applied to self-insurance claims which, in the aggregate, reduced pre-tax earnings for the third quarter by $85 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.05. For the same period a year ago, reported results included charges related to store closings, long-lived asset impairments, and discontinued projects which, in the aggregate, reduced pre-tax earnings by $368 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.18. Lowe's fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest the end of January; therefore, fiscal year 2011 included 53 weeks. The quarterly comparisons in 2012, which is a 52-week year, are impacted by a shift in comparable weeks. Sales for the third quarter increased 1.9 percent to $12.1 billion from $11.9 billion in the third quarter of 2011. The week shift negatively impacted total sales by $62 million or 0.5 percent for the third quarter. For the nine month period, sales were $39.5 billion, a 2.3 percent increase over the same period a year ago. The week shift accounted for $192 million or 0.5 percent of the total sales increase for the nine month period. The week shift had an insignificant impact on diluted earnings per share in the third quarter. For the nine month period, the week shift contributed approximately $0.02 to diluted earnings per share. Comparable store sales for the third quarter increased 1.8 percent on a consolidated basis as well as for the U.S. business. For the nine month period, comparable store sales increased 1.3 percent, while comparable store sales for the U.S. business increased 1.4 percent. Comparable store sales are based on comparable 13-week periods. “We are keenly focused on improving our core business,” commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. “Our level of execution is improving and we delivered solid results in the third quarter. I would like to thank our employees for their continued dedication and customer focus. “I would also like to express our sympathy for all those impacted by the devastating effects of superstorm Sandy,” Niblock added. “Our employees are working diligently to help communities recover from the damage. Additionally, our stores as well as lowes.com are official donation sites for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and Lowe's is contributing $1 million to the relief efforts through various partner organizations.” Delivering on the commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $850 million or 29.6 million shares of stock and paid $184 million in dividends in the third quarter. For the nine month period, the company repurchased $3.6 billion or 124.4 million shares of common stock and paid $524 million in dividends. As of November 2, 2012, Lowe's operated 1,750 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 197.0 million square feet of retail selling space. A conference call to discuss third quarter 2012 operating results is scheduled for today (Monday, November, 19) at 9:00 am ET. The conference call will be available through a webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe's website at www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Lowe's Third Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call Webcast. A replay of the call will be archived on Lowes.com/investor until February 24, 2013. Lowe's Business Outlook Fiscal Year 2012 – a 52-week Year (comparisons to fiscal year 2011 – a 53-week year; based on U.S. GAAP unless otherwise noted) Total sales are expected to be approximately flat. On a 52 versus 52 week basis, total sales are expected to increase approximately 2 percent. The company expects comparable store sales to increase approximately 1 percent (on a 52 versus 52 week basis). The company expects to open approximately 10 stores in fiscal year 2012. Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating margin) are expected to increase approximately 40 basis points. Depreciation expense is expected to be approximately $1.5 billion. The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 37.7%. Diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.64 are expected for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2013. Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Statements of the company's expectations for sales growth, comparable store sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, store openings, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, the Company's strategic initiatives and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Act. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections, and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as continued high rates of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, higher fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability and increasing regulation of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, pending combination of expiring tax cuts and mandatory reductions in federal spending at the end of 2012, and other factors which can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, such as the psychological effects of lower home prices, and in the level of repairs, remodeling, and additions to existing homes, as well as a general reduction in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes designed to enhance our efficiency and competitiveness; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our traditional operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) to maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; and (ix) respond to unanticipated weather conditions that could adversely affect sales. In addition, we could experience additional impairment losses if the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the "Risk Factors" and "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes therein or updated version thereof, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and the “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the SEC and the description of material changes, if any, therein included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events, or otherwise. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $50.2 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,745 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com. Lowe's Companies, Inc.Consolidated Statements of Current and Retained Earnings (Unaudited) In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data         Three Months EndedNine Months EndedNovember 2, 2012October 28, 2011November 2, 2012October 28, 2011Current Earnings       AmountPercent   AmountPercent   AmountPercent   AmountPercentNet sales$12,073100.00$11,852100.00$39,475100.00$38,579100.00   Cost of sales 7,930 65.68 7,815 65.94 25,933 65.70 25,208 65.34   Gross margin4,14334.324,03734.0613,54234.3013,37134.66   Expenses:   Selling, general and administrative 3,023 25.03 3,233 27.27 9,436 23.91 9,583 24.84   Depreciation 371 3.08 361 3.05 1,111 2.81 1,098 2.84   Interest - net 114 0.95 91 0.77 313 0.79 269 0.70   Total expenses3,50829.063,68531.0910,86027.5110,95028.38   Pre-tax earnings6355.263522.972,6826.792,4216.28   Income tax provision 239 1.98 127 1.07 1,012 2.56 904 2.35   Net earnings$3963.28$2251.90$1,6704.23$1,5173.93                                       Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 1,126 1,250 1,163 1,283   Basic earnings per common share (1)$0.35$0.18$1.43$1.17   Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 1,128 1,252 1,165 1,286   Diluted earnings per common share (1)$0.35$0.18$1.42$1.17   Cash dividends per share$0.16$0.14$0.46$0.39                                       Retained Earnings                                   Balance at beginning of period $ 14,199 $ 16,060 $ 15,852 $ 17,371 Net earnings 396 225 1,670 1,517 Cash dividends (180)   (176)   (530)   (498)   Share repurchases (813)   - (3,390)   (2,281)   Balance at end of period $ 13,602 $ 16,109 $ 13,602 $ 16,109                                         (1) Under the two-class method, earnings per share is calculated using net earnings allocable to common shares, which is derived by reducing net earnings by the earnings allocable to participating securities. Net earnings allocable to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $393 million for the three months ended November 2 , 2012 and $223 million for the three months ended October 28 2011. Net earnings allocable to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $1,659 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2012 and $1,505 million for the nine months ended October 28, 2011.     Lowe's Companies, Inc.Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) In Millions, Except Percentage Data           Three Months EndedNine Months EndedNovember 2, 2012October 28, 2011November 2, 2012October 28, 2011AmountPercent   AmountPercentAmountPercent   AmountPercentNet earnings$3963.28$2251.90$1,6704.23$1,5173.93   Foreign currency translation adjustments 8 0.07 (35)   (0.29)   7 0.02 (8)   (0.01)     Net unrealized investment (losses)/gains (2)   (0.02)   (1)   - - - 1 -   Other comprehensive income/(loss)60.05(36)   (0.29)   70.02(7)   (0.01)     Comprehensive income     $402   3.33     $189   1.61   $1,677   4.25   $1,510   3.92     Lowe's Companies, Inc.Consolidated Balance Sheets In Millions, Except Par Value Data                                             (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   November 2, 2012October 28, 2011February 3, 2012Assets   Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,091 $ 675 $ 1,014 Short-term investments 209 294 286 Merchandise inventory - net 8,995 8,990 8,355 Deferred income taxes - net 235 237 183 Other current assets   300   227   234   Total current assets10,83010,42310,072   Property, less accumulated depreciation 21,591 21,888 21,970 Long-term investments 350 705 504 Other assets   1,182   850   1,013   Total assets$33,953$33,866$33,559   Liabilities and shareholders' equity   Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 45 $ 590 $ 592 Accounts payable 5,416 5,242 4,352 Accrued compensation and employee benefits 581 622 613 Deferred revenue 788 789 801 Other current liabilities   1,784   1,913   1,533   Total current liabilities8,6149,1567,891   Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 9,004 6,025 7,035 Deferred income taxes - net 486 322 531 Deferred revenue - extended protection plans 720 687 704 Other liabilities   904   867   865   Total liabilities   19,728   17,057   17,026   Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued --- Common stock - $.50 par value; Shares issued and outstanding November 2, 2012 1,123 October 28, 2011 1,260 February 3, 2012 1,241 561 630 621 Capital in excess of par value 9 24 14 Retained earnings 13,602 16,109 15,852 Accumulated other comprehensive income   53   46   46   Total shareholders' equity   14,225   16,809   16,533   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$33,953$33,866$33,559     Lowe's Companies, Inc.Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) In Millions                           Nine Months EndedNovember 2, 2012   October 28, 2011Cash flows from operating activities:   Net earnings $ 1,670 $ 1,517 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,185 1,171 Deferred income taxes (113 ) (200 ) Loss on property and other assets - net 69 407 Loss on equity method investments 38 7 Share-based payment expense 75 81 Net changes in operating assets and liabilities: Merchandise inventory - net (640 ) (669 ) Other operating assets (150 ) 119 Accounts payable 1,064 892 Other operating liabilities 310 567 Net cash provided by operating activities3,5083,892   Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of investments (1,333 ) (1,200 ) Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments 1,563 1,672 Property acquired (947 ) (1,264 ) Change in equity method investments (157 ) (204 ) Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets 105 26 Other - net (14 ) (13 ) Net cash used in investing activities(783)(983)   Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,984 - Repayment of long-term debt (580 ) (28 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based payment plans 102 55 Cash dividend payments (524 ) (470 ) Repurchase of common stock (3,643 ) (2,434 ) Other - net 11 (9 ) Net cash used in financing activities(2,650)(2,886)   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash2-   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 77 23 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,014 652 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $1,091     $675   Lowe?s Companies, Inc.Shareholders?/Analysts? Inquiries:Tiffany Mason, 704-758-2033tiffany.l.mason@lowes.comorMedia Inquiries:Chris Ahearn, 704-758-2304chris.c.ahearn@lowes.com