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Lowe’s Reports First Quarter 2022 Sales and Earnings Results

General News
Lowe's Companies Logo - Retail Lumber Yard

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (“Lowe’s”) reported net earnings of $2.3 billion, in line with prior-year results, and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $3.51 for the quarter ended April 29, 2022, compared to diluted EPS of $3.21 in the first quarter of 2021.

Total sales for the first quarter were $23.7 billion compared to $24.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021, and comparable sales decreased 4.0%. Comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business decreased 3.8% for the first quarter. Pro customer sales increased 20%.

“Our sales this quarter were in line with our expectations, excluding our outdoor seasonal categories that were impacted by unseasonably cold temperatures in April. Because 75% of our customer base is DIY, our Q1 sales were disproportionately impacted by the cooler spring temperatures. Now that spring has finally arrived, we are pleased with the improved sales trends we are seeing in May,” commented Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “This quarter we delivered over 65 basis points of operating margin improvement, driven by our Total Home strategy and the execution of our Perpetual Productivity Improvement or PPI initiatives. Despite some increased uncertainty in the macro environment, we remain confident in the outlook for the home improvement market and our ability to deliver operating margin expansion in 2022. I would like to thank our front-line associates for their ongoing commitment to our customers and our communities.”

Capital Allocation

The company continues to execute a disciplined capital allocation strategy to deliver long-term, sustainable shareholder value. During the quarter, the company repurchased approximately 19 million shares for $4.1 billion, and it paid $537 million in dividends.

Lowe’s Business Outlook

The company is affirming its outlook for the operating results of Full Year 2022.

Full Year 2022 Outlook — a 53-week Year (comparisons to full year 2021 — a 52-week year)

  • Total sales of $97 billion to $99 billion, including the 53rd week
  • 53rd week expected to increase total sales by approximately $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion
  • Comparable sales expected to range from a decline of 1% to an increase of 1%
  • Gross margin rate up slightly compared to prior year
  • Depreciation and amortization of approximately $1.75 billion
  • Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) of 12.8% to 13.0%
  • Interest expense of $1.0 to $1.1 billion
  • Effective income tax rate of approximately 25%
  • Diluted earnings per share of $13.10 to $13.60
  • Total share repurchases of approximately $12 billion
  • ROIC1 of over 36%
  • Capital expenditures of approximately $2 billion

As of April 29, 2022, Lowe’s operated 1,971 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States and Canada representing 208 million square feet of retail selling space, and it serviced approximately 230 dealer-owned stores.

For the full first quarter results, click here.

1 Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is calculated using a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates on a forward-looking basis where it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort.

About Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 19 million customer transactions a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2021 sales of over $96 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service nearly 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Contact:

Kate Pearlman – Shareholder, Analyst Inquiries – kate.pearlman@lowes.com – (704) 775-3856

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.