UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

May 19, 2003

 

LOWE'S COMPANIES,  INC.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

   

North Carolina

   

1-7898

   

56-0578072

 

 

 

 

 

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission File
Number)

 

(IRS Employer
 Identification No.)

  

1605 Curtis Bridge Road, Wilkesboro, NC

                

28697

 

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

(336) 658-4000

 

 

 

 

 

(Former name or former address if changed since last report)


 

Item 7.

 

Financial Statements, ProForma Financial Information and Exhibits

99.1  Press Release, dated May 19, 2003, announcing the financial results of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the "Company") for its first quarter ended May 2, 2003.

     

             

 

 

Item 9.

 

Regulation FD Disclosure

     This Current Report on Form 8-K and the earnings news release attached hereto are being furnished by the Company pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K ("Results of Operations and Financial Condition"), in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Release Nos. 33-8216; 34-47583.

       On May 19, 2003, the Company issued a news release, furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference, announcing the Company's financial results for the quarter ended May 2, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

                                          

                                         

LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  May 19, 2003

By:

/s/ Kenneth W. Black, Jr.

 

 

 

      Kenneth W. Black, Jr.

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief       Accounting Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
 

Exhibit No.

     

        Subject Matter

                                                          

                     99.1                  Press Release, dated May 19, 2003, announcing financial results for the Company's 
               quarter ended May 2, 2003.




 EXHIBIT 99.1

 May 19, 2003

 For 7:00 am EDT Release

 

 Contacts: Shareholders'/Analysts' Inquiries:                                                     Media Inquiries:

                   Paul Taaffe                                                                                             Chris Ahearn
                   336-658-5239                                                                                        336-658-7387

 

LOWE'S REPORTS RECORD EARNINGS FOR FIRST QUARTER

-- First Quarter Net Earnings Increased 21.7 Percent --

-- First Quarter Total Sales Increased 11.4 Percent --

WILKESBORO, N.C. - Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), the world's second largest home improvement retailer, today reported net earnings of $421 million for the quarter ended May 2, 2003, a 21.7 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 20.5 percent to $0.53 from $0.44 in the first quarter of 2002.

Sales for the quarter increased 11.4 percent to $7.21 billion, up from $6.47 billion in the first quarter of 2002. Comparable store sales for the first quarter increased 0.1 percent.

"A strong housing market and improving consumer confidence continue to support the American conviction to invest in the home despite the effect of adverse weather and uncertain world events," commented Robert L. Tillman, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "In a society where home is increasingly the centerpiece of the American dream, Lowe's makes it easy for our customers to express their unique taste and style by providing compelling stores, knowledgeable service, and great products at guaranteed low prices."

During the quarter, Lowe's opened 21 new stores. As of May 2, 2003, Lowe's operated 875 stores in 45 states representing 97.2 million square feet of retail selling space, a 12.9 percent increase over last year.

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2003 operating results is scheduled for today (Monday, May 19) at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Please dial 888-817-4020 (international callers dial 706-679-3245) to participate. A webcast of the call will take place simultaneously and can be accessed by visiting Lowe's website at www.lowes.com and clicking on About Lowe's, Investor Information, Shareholder Services, Calendar of Events. A replay of the call will be archived on www.lowes.com for 7 days.

Comments Regarding Adoption of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 02-16

Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor", was issued by the EITF in November 2002 with transition provisions subsequently issued in January 2003.  The January 2003 transition rules stated that this issue would apply to all agreements entered into or significantly modified after December 31, 2002.

As we have previously announced, our current accounting treatment for vendor provided funds is consistent with the provisions of this issue with the exception of cooperative advertising allowances or co-op.  We currently account for co-op as direct offsets against advertising expenses.  Under EITF 02-16, these types of funds can only be used to offset advertising expenses if the co-op funds are a reimbursement of a specific, identifiable and incremental cost incurred by Lowe's in selling the vendor's product.

We do not expect this issue to have a material impact on our fiscal 2003 financial statements since substantially all of our cooperative advertising allowance agreements for fiscal 2003 were entered into prior to December 31, 2002.

We have assessed the historic volume of co-op reimbursements that have been received in order to determine which of these reimbursements would meet the specific, identifiable and incremental criteria outlined under this issue and accordingly, qualify as a direct offset to advertising expense.  Based on our analysis of the impact on net income, and the administrative costs to identify and track reimbursements between those qualifying for expense offset and those requiring inventory cost reduction, we have elected to treat all co-op funds received from vendors as a reduction in the cost of inventory and recognize them as a reduction to cost of goods sold when the inventory is liquidated.  We estimate that the prospective change in the timing of income recognition will reduce fiscal 2004 EPS by approximately $0.12 per share.  Had our vendor agreements for fiscal 2003 not been entered into prior to December 31, 2002, we estimate that the reduction of EPS would be approximately $0.11 per share in fiscal 2003.

The adoption of this issue does not change the ultimate cash to be received under these agreements nor the timing of cash flows, only the timing of when it is reflected in net income. In short, this represents a change only in the timing of earnings recognition, not in the amount of earnings ultimately recognized over the terms of the agreements.

 

Lowe's Business Outlook

This outlook is based on current expectations and includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Although the company believes that comments reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Second Quarter 2003 (comparisons to second quarter 2002)

Fiscal Year 2003 (comparisons to fiscal year 2002)

 

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Although the company believes that comments reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Possible risks and uncertainties regarding these statements include, but are not limited to, the direction of general economic conditions, the availability of real estate for expansion and its successful development, particularly in major metropolitan markets, the availability of sufficient labor to facilitate growth, fluctuations in prices and availability of product, unanticipated impact of competition, legal or regulatory developments, and weather conditions that affect sales.

 

With fiscal year 2002 sales of $26.5 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE 100 company that serves approximately nine million customers a week at more than 875 home improvement stores in 45 states. In 2003, FORTUNE named Lowe's America's Most Admired Specialty Retailer. Based in Wilkesboro, N.C., the 57-year old company 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 Data

                       Three Months Ended

          May 2, 2003

         May 3, 2002

Current Earnings

Amount

Percent

      Amount

Percent

Net sales

$ 7,211

100.00

$ 6,471

100.00

Cost of sales

4,973

68.96

4,548

70.29

Gross margin

2,238

31.04

1,923

29.71

Expenses:

Selling, general and administrative

1,314

18.22

1,141

17.64

Store opening costs

19

0.26

37

0.57

Depreciation

180

2.50

145

2.24

Interest

48

0.67

47

0.73

Total expenses

1,561

21.65

1,370

21.18

Pre-tax earnings

677

9.39

553

8.53

Income tax provision

256

3.55

207

3.19

Net earnings

$     421

5.84

$     346

5.34

Shares outstanding - Basic

783

777

Basic earnings per share

$     0.54

$     0.45

Shares outstanding - Diluted

802

798

Diluted earnings per share

$     0.53

$     0.44

Retained earnings

Balance at beginning of period

$  5,887

$   4,482

Net earnings

421

346

Cash dividends (20)

(16)

Balance at end of period

$  6,288

$   4,812

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

In Millions, Except Par Value Data

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

May 2,

May 3,

January 31,

    2003    

    2002    

      2003      

Assets

  Current assets:

   Cash and cash equivalents

$  1,600

$  1,476

853

   Short-term investments

77

48

273

   Accounts receivable - net

189

193

172

   Merchandise inventory

4,864

4,360

3,968

   Deferred income taxes

72

97

58

   Other current assets

251

267

244

  Total current assets

7,053

6,441

5,568

   Property, less accumulated

       depreciation

10,545

8,992

10,352

   Long-term investments

132

19

29

   Other assets

170

159

160

  Total assets

$ 17,900

$ 15,611

$ 16,109

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

  Current liabilities:

   Short-term borrowings

$ 50

$ 100

$ 50

   Current maturities of long-term debt

30

60

29

   Accounts payable

3,069

2,740

1,943

   Employee retirement plans

27

136

88

   Accrued salaries and wages

169

175

306

   Other current liabilities

1,570

1,286

1,162

  Total current liabilities

4,915

4,497

3,578

   Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

3,733

3,736

3,736

   Deferred income taxes

499

314

478

   Other long-term liabilities

18

7

15

  Total liabilities

9,165

8,554

7,807

  Shareholders' equity

   Preferred stock - $5 par value, none issued

-

  -

  -

   Common stock - $.50 par value;

        Shares issued and outstanding

     May 2, 2003

783

     May 3, 2002

777

     January 31, 2003

782

392

389

391

   Capital in excess of par value

2,055

1,856

2,023

   Retained earnings

6,288

4,812

5,887

   Accumulated other comprehensive income

-

-

1

  Total shareholders' equity

8,735

7,057

8,302

  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 17,900

$ 15,611

$ 16,109

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

In Millions

       For the Three Months Ended

May 3,

May 2,

2003

2002

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

Net Earnings

$ 421

$ 346

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash

  Provided By Operating Activities:

     Depreciation and Amortization

184

150

     Deferred Income Taxes

7

4

     Loss on Disposition/Writedown of Fixed and Other Assets

7

9

     Stock-Based Compensation Expense

5

-

     Tax Effect of Stock Options Exercised

4

6

     Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

        Accounts Receivable - Net

(17)

(27)

        Merchandise Inventory

(896)

(749)

        Other Operating Assets

(8)

(69)

        Accounts Payable

1,126

1,026

        Employee Retirement Plans

(61)

33

        Other Operating Liabilities

274

445

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

1,046

1,174

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

(Decrease) Increase in Investment Assets:

    Short-Term Investments

206

10

    Purchases of Long-Term Investments

(164)

(2)

    Proceeds from Sale/Maturity of Long-Term Investments

47

-

Increase in Other Long-Term Assets

(16)

(9)

Fixed Assets Acquired

(392)

(501)

Proceeds from the Sale of Fixed and Other Long-Term Assets

19

4

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(300)

(498)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Repayment of Long-Term Debt

(7)

(7)

Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised

28

24

Cash Dividend Payments

(20)

(16)

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

1

1

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

747

677

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

853

799

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year

$ 1,600

$ 1,476