Enhanced Investments - Financial Portal

Published: 2023-08-17 00:00:00 ET

<<< go to WMT company page

EX-99.1 2 earningsreleasefy24q2.htm PRESS RELEASE Document

Walmart Reports
Second Quarter Results

•Strong revenue growth of 5.7%; operating income growing faster at 6.7%

•eCommerce up 24% globally

•GAAP EPS of $2.92; Adjusted EPS of $1.841

•Guides Q3 and raises FY24 outlook

“

We had another strong quarter. Around the world, our customers and members are prioritizing value and convenience. They’re shopping with us across channels — in stores, Sam’s Clubs, and they’re driving eCommerce, which was up 24% globally. Food is a strength, but we’re also encouraged by our results in general merchandise versus our expectations when we started the quarter. Our associates helped deliver increases in transaction counts and units sold, and profit is growing faster than sales. We’re in good shape with inventory, and we like our position for the back half of the year.”

Doug McMillon

President and CEO, Walmart

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug 17, 2023 – Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announces second quarter results, including strong revenue and operating income growth of 5.7% and 6.7%, respectively. The Company sees strength in its omnichannel model across segments with strong comp sales globally, including 6.4%3 for Walmart U.S. The Company raises guidance for FY24 to reflect Q2 upside, confidence in continued business momentum and ongoing customer response to its value proposition.

Second Quarter Highlights

•Consolidated revenue of $161.6 billion, up 5.7%, or 5.4% in constant currency (“cc”)1

•Consolidated gross margin rate up 50bps on lapping elevated markdowns and supply chain costs, partially offset by ongoing mix pressure in grocery and health & wellness

•Consolidated operating expenses as a percentage of net sales grew 33bps

•Consolidated operating income up $0.5 billion, or 6.7%, adjusted operating income up 8.1%1

•ROA at 5.6%; ROI at 12.8%1, negatively affected by 140bps of discrete charges in Q3 & Q4 FY23

•Global advertising business2 grew approximately 35%

•Walmart U.S. comp sales up 6.4%3; eCommerce up 24%, led by pickup & delivery

•Celebrating the 65th anniversary of Bodega Aurrera stores in Mexico

1 See additional information at the end of the release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

2 Our global advertising business is recorded in either net sales or as a reduction to cost of sales, depending on the nature of the advertising arrangement.

3 Comp sales for the 13-week period ended July 28th, 2023 compared to the 13-week period ended July 29th, 2022, and excludes fuel. See Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.

“cc” - constant currency

Key Financial Metrics

Dollars in billions, except per share data. Dollar and percentage changes may not recalculate due to rounding. Charts may

not be to scale.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

•Cash and cash equivalents of $13.9 billion

•Total debt of $50.4 billion2

•Operating cash flow of $18.2 billion, an increase of $9.0 billion

•Free cash flow of $9.0 billion1, an increase of $7.2 billion

•Repurchased 8.0 million shares3 YTD, or $1.2 billion

1 See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

2 Debt includes short-term borrowings, long-term debt due within one year, finance lease obligations due within one year, long-term debt and long-term finance lease obligations.

3 $18.2 billion remaining of $20 billion authorization approved in November 2022.

Business Highlights

and Strategic Initiatives

Dollars in billions, except as noted. Dollar and percentage changes may not recalculate due to rounding.


Walmart U.S.	FY’24Q2	FY’23Q2	Change
Net Sales	$110.9	$105.1	$5.7	5.4%
Comp Sales (ex. fuel)2	6.4%	6.5%	NP	NP
Transactions	2.9%	1.0%	NP	NP
Average Ticket	3.4%	5.5%	NP	NP
eCommerce contribution to comp	~230 bps	~100 bps	NP	NP
Operating Income	$6.1	$5.7	$0.4	7.6%

Walmart U.S.

•Growth in eCommerce of 24%, with strength in pickup & delivery and advertising

•Walmart Connect advertising sales grew 36%

•Sales strength led by grocery and health & wellness, while general merchandise sales declined modestly

•Gained market share in grocery with strong unit growth

•Gross profit rate increased 40 bps, partially offset by operating expense deleverage of 28 bps

•Inventory declined 8% with higher in-stock levels


Walmart International	FY’24Q2	FY’23Q2	Change
Net sales	$27.6	$24.4	$3.2	13.3%
Net sales cc1	$27.0	$24.4	$2.7	11.0%
Operating income	$1.2	$1.0	$0.1	14.1%
Operating income cc1	$1.1	$1.0	$—	2.2%

Walmart International

•Strong growth in net sales cc1, led by Walmex, China and Flipkart. Positive traffic across markets

•Growth in eCommerce sales of 26% with strength in store-fulfilled

•Gross margin rate declined 37 bps over last year on changes in format and channel mix

•Advertising up nearly 40%3

•Operating expense leverage of 129 bps on strong growth in net sales, driving fixed cost leverage

•Operating income cc1 up 2.2%, impacted 20 percentage points from lapping last year’s $0.2 billion one-time

insurance benefit in Chile

1 See additional information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

2 Comp sales for the 13-week period ended July 28th, 2023 compared to the 13-week period ended July 29th, 2022, and excludes fuel. See Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.

3 Our global advertising business is recorded in either net sales or as a reduction to cost of sales, depending on the nature of the advertising arrangement.

NP - Not provided

cc - constant currency


Sam’s Club U.S.	FY’24Q2	FY’23Q2	Change
Net Sales	$21.8	$21.9	-$0.1	-0.3%
Net Sales (ex. fuel)	$18.9	$18.0	$0.9	5.3%
Comp Sales (ex. fuel)1	5.5%	9.5%	NP	NP
Transactions	2.9%	9.8%	NP	NP
Average Ticket	2.5%	-0.2%	NP	NP
eCommerce contribution to comp	~150 bps	~170 bps	NP	NP
Operating Income	$0.5	$0.4	$0.1	22.0%

Sam’s Club U.S.

•Strong comp sales, led by food and consumables, and healthcare as well as positive unit growth overall

•Gained market share in grocery and general merchandise, including apparel, home, and toys

•Growth in eCommerce of 18% led by curbside

•Strong growth in membership income, up 7.0%, with continued strength in Plus member growth and renewals

•Advertising up 33%2

•Membership count increased mid single-digits with Plus penetration up 130 bps vs. last year

1 Comp sales for the 13-week period ended July 28th, 2023 compared to the 13-week period ended July 29th, 2022, and excludes fuel. See Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.

2 Our global advertising business is recorded in either net sales or as a reduction to cost of sales, depending on the nature of the advertising arrangement.

NP - Not provided

Guidance


			The following guidance reflects the Company’s expectations for the third quarter and fiscal year 2024 and is provided on a non-GAAP basis as the Company cannot predict certain elements that are included in reported GAAP results, such as the changes in fair value of the Company’s equity and other investments. Growth rates reflect an adjusted basis for prior year results. Additionally, the Company’s guidance assumes a generally stable consumer and continued pressure from its mix of products and formats globally. The Company’s fiscal year guidance is based on the following previously disclosed FY23 figures: Net sales: $605.9 billion, adjusted operating income1: $24.6 billion, and adjusted EPS1: $6.29.


			Third Quarter

			Metric			Q3
			Consolidated net sales (cc)			Increase approximately 3.0%
			Consolidated operating income (cc)			Increase approximately 1.0%
			Adjusted EPS			$1.45 to $1.50



			Fiscal Year 20242

			Metric			FY 2024
			Consolidated net sales (cc)			Increase approximately 4.0% to 4.5%




			Consolidated operating income (cc)			Increase approximately 7.0%-7.5%, including an expected 30bps tailwind from LIFO
			Interest, net			Increase approximately $500M v. LY
			Effective tax rate			Unchanged at 26.5%
			Non-controlling interest			Approximately $0.26 headwind to EPS
			Adjusted EPS			$6.36 to $6.46, including an expected $0.05 impact from LIFO
			Capital expenditures			Flat to up slightly v. LY, unchanged from prior guidance
			1 For relevant reconciliations, see Q4 FY23 earnings release furnished on Form 8-K on February 21, 2023. 2 Our expectations are for Walmart U.S. and International to grow slightly faster than our prior view and for Sam’s Club growth to be consistent with our February guidance.




About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 240 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2023 revenue of $611 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart. Investor Relations contact: Steph Wissink – ir@walmart.com Media Relations contact: Randy Hargrove – (800) 331-0085

Forward-Looking Statements

This release and related management commentary contains statements or may include or may incorporate by reference Walmart management’s guidance regarding adjusted earnings per share, consolidated net sales, consolidated operating income and consolidated adjusted operating income, consolidated operating expense, net interest expenses, non-controlling interest, capital expenditures, share repurchases, Walmart’s effective tax rate for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2024, and comparable sales, among other items. Walmart believes such statements may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act") and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Act as well as protections afforded by other federal securities laws. Assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead express our estimates or expectations for our consolidated, or one of our segment's or business’, economic performance or results of operations for future periods or as of future dates or events or developments that may occur in the future or discuss our plans, objectives or goals. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of these forward-looking statements as a result of changes in circumstances, assumptions not being realized or other risks, uncertainties and factors including: capital markets and business conditions; trends and events around the world and in the markets in which we operate; currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in market interest rates and market levels of wages; changes in the size of various markets, including eCommerce markets; unemployment levels; inflation or deflation, generally and in particular product categories; consumer confidence, disposable income, credit availability, spending levels, shopping patterns, debt levels and demand for certain merchandise; the effectiveness of the implementation and operation of our strategies, plans, programs and initiatives; unexpected changes in our objectives and plans; the impact of acquisitions, investments, divestitures, and other strategic decisions; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; changes in the trading prices or fair value of certain equity investments we hold; initiatives of competitors, competitors' entry into and expansion in our markets, and competitive pressures; customer traffic and average transactions in our stores and clubs and on our eCommerce websites; the mix of merchandise we sell, the cost of goods we sell and the shrinkage we experience; our gross profit margins; the financial performance of Walmart and each of its segments, including the amounts of our cash flow during various periods; the amount of our net sales and operating expenses denominated in the U.S. dollar and various foreign currencies; commodity prices and the price of gasoline and diesel fuel; challenges with our supply chain, including disruptions and issues relating to inventory management; disruptions in seasonal buying patterns; the availability of goods from suppliers and the cost of goods acquired from suppliers; our ability to respond to changing trends in consumer shopping habits; consumer acceptance of and response to our stores, clubs, eCommerce platforms, programs, merchandise offerings and delivery methods; cyber security events affecting us and related costs and impact to the business; developments in, outcomes of, and costs incurred in legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party or are subject, and the liabilities, obligations and expenses, if any, that we may incur in connection therewith; casualty and accident related costs and insurance costs; the turnover in our workforce and labor costs, including healthcare and other benefit costs; our effective tax rate and the factors affecting our effective tax rate, including assessments of certain tax contingencies, valuation allowances, changes in law, administrative audit outcomes, impact of discrete items and the mix of earnings between the U.S. and Walmart's international operations; changes in existing tax, labor and other laws and regulations and changes in tax rates including the enactment of laws and the adoption and interpretation of administrative rules and regulations; the imposition of new taxes on imports, new tariffs and changes in existing tariff rates; the imposition of new trade restrictions and changes in existing trade restrictions; adoption or creation of new, and modification of existing, governmental policies, programs, initiatives and actions in the markets in which Walmart operates and elsewhere and actions with respect to such policies, programs and initiatives; changes in accounting estimates or judgments; the level of public assistance payments; natural disasters, changes in climate, geopolitical events, global health epidemics or pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and catastrophic events; and changes in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC discuss other risks and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement in the release and related management commentary. We urge you to consider all of the risks, uncertainties and factors identified above or discussed in such reports carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements in this release. Walmart cannot assure you that the results reflected in or implied by any forward-looking statement will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that those results will have the forecasted or expected consequences and effects for or on our operations or financial performance. The forward-looking statements made today are as of the date of this release. Walmart undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Walmart Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 31,						July 31,
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)	2023		2022		Percent Change		2023		2022		Percent Change
Revenues:
Net sales	$	160,280	$	151,381	5.9	%	$	311,284	$	291,669	6.7	%
Membership and other income	1,352		1,478		(8.5)	%	2,649		2,759		(4.0)	%
Total revenues	161,632		152,859		5.7	%	313,933		294,428		6.6	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	121,850		115,838		5.2	%	237,134		222,685		6.5	%
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	32,466		30,167		7.6	%	63,243		59,571		6.2	%
Operating income	7,316		6,854		6.7	%	13,556		12,172		11.4	%
Interest:
Debt	543		395		37.5	%	1,111		767		44.9	%
Finance lease obligations	99		84		17.9	%	195		167		16.8	%
Interest income	(148)		(31)		377.4	%	(255)		(67)		280.6	%
Interest, net	494		448		10.3	%	1,051		867		21.2	%

Other (gains) and losses	(3,905)		(238)		1,540.8	%	(910)		1,760		NM
Income before income taxes	10,727		6,644		61.5	%	13,415		9,545		40.5	%
Provision for income taxes	2,674		1,497		78.6	%	3,466		2,295		51.0	%

Consolidated net income	8,053		5,147		56.5	%	9,949		7,250		37.2	%
Consolidated net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(162)		2		NM		(385)		(47)		719.1	%
Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart	$	7,891	$	5,149	53.3	%	$	9,564	$	7,203	32.8	%

Net income per common share:
Basic net income per common share attributable to Walmart	$	2.93	$	1.88	55.9	%	$	3.55	$	2.62	35.5	%
Diluted net income per common share attributable to Walmart	$	2.92	$	1.88	55.3	%	$	3.54	$	2.61	35.6	%

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	2,693		2,736				2,694		2,745
Diluted	2,703		2,745				2,703		2,755

Dividends declared per common share	$	—	$	—			$	2.28	$	2.24

NM = Not Meaningful

Walmart Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)


	July 31,		January 31,		July 31,
(Amounts in millions)	2023		2023		2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,888	$	8,625	$	13,923
Receivables, net	7,891		7,933		7,522
Inventories	56,722		56,576		59,921
Prepaid expenses and other	3,531		2,521		2,798

Total current assets	82,032		75,655		84,164



Property and equipment, net	104,733		100,760		96,006
Operating lease right-of-use assets	13,710		13,555		13,872
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net	5,552		4,919		4,514
Goodwill	28,268		28,174		28,664
Other long-term assets	20,826		20,134		19,979
Total assets	$	255,121	$	243,197	$	247,199

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST, AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	4,546	$	372	$	10,634
Accounts payable	56,576		53,742		54,191
Dividends payable	3,067		—		3,049
Accrued liabilities	29,239		31,126		23,843
Accrued income taxes	770		727		868
Long-term debt due within one year	2,897		4,191		5,316
Operating lease obligations due within one year	1,472		1,473		1,464
Finance lease obligations due within one year	653		567		534

Total current liabilities	99,220		92,198		99,899

Long-term debt	36,806		34,649		29,801
Long-term operating lease obligations	12,978		12,828		13,140
Long-term finance lease obligations	5,449		4,843		4,420
Deferred income taxes and other	15,109		14,688		14,092

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable noncontrolling interest	232		237		260

Equity:
Common stock	269		269		272
Capital in excess of par value	4,635		4,969		4,672
Retained earnings	85,470		83,135		82,519
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,818)		(11,680)		(9,894)
Total Walmart shareholders’ equity	79,556		76,693		77,569
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest	5,771		7,061		8,018
Total equity	85,327		83,754		85,587
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and equity	$	255,121	$	243,197	$	247,199

Walmart Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)


	Six Months Ended
	July 31,
(Amounts in millions)	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$	9,949	$	7,250


Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,750		5,379
Investment (gains) and losses, net	(773)		1,988


Deferred income taxes	436		111

Other operating activities	849		244
Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Receivables, net	115		874
Inventories	222		(3,730)
Accounts payable	2,999		(453)
Accrued liabilities	(1,368)		(2,439)
Accrued income taxes	22		16
Net cash provided by operating activities	18,201		9,240

Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property and equipment	(9,216)		(7,492)
Proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment	133		72
Proceeds from disposal of certain operations	135		—

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(9)		(616)
Other investing activities	(952)		(548)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,909)		(8,584)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term borrowings	4,181		10,230
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	4,967		—
Repayments of long-term debt	(4,063)		(1,439)

Dividends paid	(3,072)		(3,081)
Purchase of Company stock	(1,171)		(5,747)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(214)		—
Sale of subsidiary stock	697		45
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,462)		—
Other financing activities	(1,172)		(1,408)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,309)		(1,400)

Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	147		(100)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	5,130		(844)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	8,841		14,834
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	13,971	$	13,990

Walmart Inc.

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited)

Net sales and operating income


	Net Sales						Operating Income
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	July 31,						July 31,
(dollars in millions)	2023		2022		Percent Change		2023		2022		Percent Change
Walmart U.S.	$	110,854	$	105,130	5.4	%	$	6,114	$	5,683	7.6	%
Walmart International	27,596		24,350		13.3	%	1,190		1,043		14.1	%
Sam’s Club	21,830		21,901		-0.3	%	521		427		22.0	%
Corporate and support	—		—		—		(509)		(299)		70.2	%
Consolidated	$	160,280	$	151,381	5.9	%	$	7,316	$	6,854	6.7	%

U.S. comparable sales results


	With Fuel				Without Fuel				Fuel Impact
	13 Weeks Ended				13 Weeks Ended				13 Weeks Ended
	7/28/2023		7/29/2022		7/28/2023		7/29/2022		7/28/2023		7/29/2022
Walmart U.S.	6.1	%	7.2	%	6.4	%	6.5	%	-0.3	%	0.7	%
Sam’s Club	-0.2	%	17.5	%	5.5	%	9.5	%	-5.7	%	8.0	%
Total U.S.	5.0	%	8.8	%	6.3	%	7.0	%	-1.3	%	1.8	%

Comparable sales is a metric that indicates the performance of our existing stores and clubs by measuring the change in sales for such stores and clubs, and it is important to review in conjunction with the company’s financial results reported in accordance with GAAP. Walmart's definition of comparable sales includes sales from stores and clubs open for the previous 12 months, including remodels, relocations, expansions and conversions, as well as eCommerce sales. Comparable sales excluding fuel is also an important, separate metric that indicates the performance of our existing stores and clubs without considering fuel, which is volatile and unpredictable. Other companies in our industry may calculate comparable sales differently, limiting the comparability of the metric.

Walmart Inc.

Reconciliations of and Other Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

The following information provides reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures presented in the press release to which this reconciliation is attached to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company has provided the non-GAAP financial information presented in the press release, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in the press release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the press release. The non-GAAP financial measures in the press release may differ from similar measures used by other companies.

Constant Currency

In discussing our operating results, the term currency exchange rates refers to the currency exchange rates we use to convert the operating results for countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars. We calculate the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activity translated using the current period's currency exchange rates and the comparable prior year period's currency exchange rates. Additionally, no currency exchange rate fluctuations are calculated for non-USD acquisitions until owned for 12 months.

Throughout our discussion, we refer to the results of this calculation as the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations. When we refer to constant currency operating results, this means operating results without the impact of the currency exchange rate fluctuations. The disclosure of constant currency amounts or results permits investors to better understand Walmart’s underlying performance without the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The table below reflects the calculation of constant currency for total revenues, net sales and operating income for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023.


	Three Months Ended July 31, 2023								Six Months Ended July 31, 2023
	Walmart International				Consolidated				Walmart International				Consolidated
(Dollars in millions)	2023		Percent Change1		2023		Percent Change1		2023		Percent Change1		2023		Percent Change1
Total revenues:
As reported	$	27,954	12.3	%	$	161,632	5.7	%	$	54,909	12.1	%	$	313,933	6.6	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations	(576)		N/A		(576)		N/A		(347)		N/A		(347)		N/A


Total revenues (cc)	$	27,378	10.0	%	$	161,056	5.4	%	$	54,562	11.4	%	$	313,586	6.5	%

Net sales:
As reported	$	27,596	13.3	%	$	160,280	5.9	%	$	54,200	12.7	%	$	311,284	6.7	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations	(574)		N/A		(574)		N/A		(349)		N/A		(349)		N/A


Net sales (cc)	$	27,022	11.0	%	$	159,706	5.5	%	$	53,851	11.9	%	$	310,935	6.6	%

Operating income:
As reported	$	1,190	14.1	%	$	7,316	6.7	%	$	2,354	29.7	%	$	13,556	11.4	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations	(124)		N/A		(124)		N/A		(196)		N/A		(196)		N/A


Operating income (cc)	$	1,066	2.2	%	$	7,192	4.9	%	$	2,158	18.9	%	$	13,360	9.8	%

1 Change versus prior year comparable period reported results.

N/A - Not applicable

Adjusted operating income

Adjusted operating income is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the SEC’s rules because it excludes certain charges included in operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that adjusted operating income is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it best allows comparison of the performance with that of the comparable period. In addition, adjusted operating income affords investors a view of what management considers Walmart’s core earnings performance and the ability to make a more informed assessment of such core earnings performance as compared with that of the prior year.

When we refer to adjusted operating income in constant currency, this means adjusted operating results without the impact of the currency exchange rate fluctuations. The disclosure of constant currency amounts or results permits investors to better understand Walmart’s underlying performance without the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations. The table below reflect the calculation of adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income in constant currency for the three months and three and six months ended July 31, 2023.


	Three Months Ended July 31,
	Consolidated
(Dollars in millions)	2023	2022
Operating income:
Operating income, as reported	$7,316	$6,854
Incremental opioid settlement expense1	93	—
Adjusted operating income	7,409	6,854
Percent change2	8.1%	NP
Currency exchange rate fluctuations	(124)	—
Adjusted operating income, constant currency	$7,285	6,854
Percent change2	6.3%	NP

	Six Months Ended July 31,
	Consolidated
(Dollars in millions)	2023	2022
Operating income:
Operating income, as reported	$13,556	$12,172
Incremental opioid settlement expense1	93	—
Adjusted operating income	13,649	12,172
Percent change2	12.1%	NP
Currency exchange rate fluctuations	(196)	—
Adjusted operating income, constant currency	$13,453	$12,172
Percent change2	10.5%	NP

1 Recorded in Corporate and support.

2 Change versus prior year comparable period.

NP - Not provided

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities in a period minus payments for property and equipment made in that period. Net cash provided by operating activities was $18.2 billion for the six months ended July 31, 2023, which represents an increase of $9.0 billion when compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to moderated levels of inventory purchases and timing of certain payments. Free cash flow for the six months ended July 31, 2023 was $9.0 billion, which represents an increase of $7.2 billion when compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in free cash flow is due to the increase in operating cash flows described above, partially offset by an increase of $1.7 billion in capital expenditures to support our investment strategy.

Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes, however, that free cash flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Additionally, Walmart’s definition of free cash flow is limited, in that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures, due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Although other companies report their free cash flow, numerous methods may exist for calculating a company’s free cash flow. As a result, the method used by Walmart’s management to calculate our free cash flow may differ from the methods used by other companies to calculate their free cash flow.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net cash provided by operating activities, which we believe to be the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to free cash flow, as well as information regarding net cash used in investing activities and net cash used in financing activities.


	Six Months Ended
	July 31,
(Dollars in millions)	2023		2022
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	18,201	$	9,240
Payments for property and equipment (capital expenditures)	(9,216)		(7,492)
Free cash flow	$	8,985	$	1,748

Net cash used in investing activities1	$	(9,909)	$	(8,584)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,309)		(1,400)

1 "Net Cash used in investing activities" includes payments for property and equipment, which is also included in our computation of free cash flow.

Adjusted EPS

Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to Walmart (Adjusted EPS) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the SEC’s rules because it excludes certain amounts included in the diluted earnings per share attributable to Walmart calculated in accordance with GAAP (EPS), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EPS is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it best allows comparison of the performance with that of the comparable period. In addition, Adjusted EPS affords investors a view of what management considers Walmart’s core earnings performance and the ability to make a more informed assessment of such core earnings performance with that of the prior year.

We adjust for the unrealized and realized gains and losses on our equity and other investments each quarter because although the investments are strategic decisions for the company’s retail operations, management’s measurement of each strategy is primarily focused on the operational results rather than the fair value of such investments. Additionally, management does not forecast changes in the fair value of its equity and other investments. Accordingly, management adjusts EPS each quarter for the realized and unrealized gains and losses related to those equity investments.

We have calculated Adjusted EPS for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023 by adjusting EPS for the following:

1.unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Company’s equity and other investments; and

2.incremental opioid settlement expense.


	Three Months Ended July 31, 20234
Diluted earnings per share:
Reported EPS				$2.92

Adjustments:	Pre-Tax Impact	Tax Impact1,2	NCI Impact3	Net Impact
Unrealized and realized (gains) and losses on equity and other investments5	$(1.44)	$0.33	$—	$(1.11)
Incremental opioid settlement expense	0.04	(0.01)	—	0.03
Net adjustments				$(1.08)

Adjusted EPS				$1.84



	Six Months Ended July 31, 20234
Diluted earnings per share:
Reported EPS				$3.54

Adjustments:	Pre-Tax Impact	Tax Impact1,2	NCI Impact3	Net Impact
Unrealized and realized (gains) and losses on equity and other investments	$(0.31)	$0.06	$(0.01)	$(0.26)
Incremental opioid settlement expense	0.04	(0.01)	—	0.03
Net adjustments				$(0.23)

Adjusted EPS				$3.31

1 Tax impact calculated based on nature of item, including any realizable deductions, and statutory rate in effect for relevant jurisdictions.

2 The reported effective tax rate was 24.9% and 25.8% for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023, respectively. Adjusted for the above items, the effective tax rate was 25.8% and 26.1% for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023, respectively.

3 Calculated based on the ownership percentages of our noncontrolling interests.

4 Quarterly adjustments or adjusted EPS may not sum to YTD adjustments or YTD adjusted EPS due to rounding. Additionally, the individual components in the tables above may include immaterial rounding.

5 For the three months ended July 31, 2023, unrealized gains were primarily driven by increases in the underlying stock prices of our investments in Symbotic and JD.com.

As previously disclosed in our second quarter ended July 31, 2022 press release, we have calculated Adjusted EPS for the three and six months ended July 31, 2022 by adjusting EPS for the following: (1) unrealized and realized gains and losses on the company’s equity and other investments; (2) gain on sale of equity method investment in Brazil; and (3) a discrete tax item.


	Three Months Ended July 31, 2022
Diluted earnings per share:
Reported EPS				$1.88

Adjustments:	Pre-Tax Impact	Tax Impact1, 2	NCI Impact3	Net Impact

Unrealized and realized (gains) and losses on equity and other investments	$0.14	$(0.02)	$(0.01)	$0.11
Gain on sale of equity method investment in Brazil	(0.16)	—	—	(0.16)
Discrete tax item	—	(0.06)	—	(0.06)
Net adjustments				$(0.11)

Adjusted EPS				$1.77



	Six Months Ended July 31, 20224
Diluted earnings per share:
Reported EPS				$2.61

Adjustments:	Pre-Tax Impact	Tax Impact1, 2	NCI Impact3	Net Impact
Unrealized and realized (gains) and losses on equity and other investments	$0.85	$(0.16)	$(0.01)	$0.68
Gain on sale of equity method investment in Brazil	(0.16)	—	—	(0.16)
Discrete tax item	—	(0.06)	—	(0.06)

Net adjustments				$0.46

Adjusted EPS				$3.07

1 Tax impact calculated based on nature of item, including any realizable deductions, and statutory rate in effect for relevant jurisdictions. No tax expense was incurred in connection with the gain on sale of equity method investment in Brazil.

2 The reported effective tax rate was 22.5% and 24.0% for the three and six months ended July 31, 2022, respectively. Adjusted for the above item, the effective tax rate was 26.2% and 25.6% for the three and six months ended July 31, 2022, respectively.

3 Calculated based on the ownership percentages of our noncontrolling interests.

4 Quarterly adjustments or adjusted EPS may not sum to YTD adjustments or YTD adjusted EPS due to rounding.

Return on Investment

We include Return on Assets ("ROA"), which is calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") as well as Return on Investment ("ROI") as measures to assess returns on assets. Management believes ROI is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it helps investors assess how effectively Walmart is deploying its assets. Trends in ROI can fluctuate over time as management balances long-term strategic initiatives with possible short-term impacts. We consider ROA to be the financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP that is the most directly comparable financial measure to our calculation of ROI.

ROA was 5.6 percent and 5.8 percent for the trailing twelve months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in ROA was primarily due to the increase in average total assets driven by higher purchases of property and equipment. ROI was 12.8 percent and 13.8 percent for the trailing 12 months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in ROI was the result of a decrease in operating income primarily due to opioid legal charges and reorganization and restructuring charges recorded in Q3 and Q4 of fiscal 2023 respectively, as well as an increase in average invested capital primarily due to higher purchases of property and equipment.

We define ROI as operating income plus interest income, depreciation and amortization, and rent expense for the trailing twelve months divided by average invested capital during that period. We consider average invested capital to be the average of our beginning and ending total assets, plus average accumulated depreciation and average amortization, less average accounts payable and average accrued liabilities for that period.

Our calculation of ROI is considered a non-GAAP financial measure because we calculate ROI using financial measures that exclude and include amounts that are included and excluded in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. For example, we exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization from our reported operating income in calculating the numerator of our calculation of ROI. As mentioned above, we consider ROA to be the financial measure computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles most directly comparable to our calculation of ROI. ROI differs from ROA (which is consolidated net income for the period divided by average total assets for the period) because ROI: adjusts operating income to exclude certain expense items and adds interest income; adjusts total assets for the impact of accumulated depreciation and amortization, accounts payable and accrued liabilities to arrive at total invested capital. Because of the adjustments mentioned above, we believe ROI more accurately measures how we are deploying our key assets and is more meaningful to investors than ROA. Although ROI is a standard financial measure, numerous methods exist for calculating a company’s ROI. As a result, the method used by management to calculate our ROI may differ from the methods used by other companies to calculate their ROI.

The calculation of ROA and ROI, along with a reconciliation of ROI to the calculation of ROA is as follows:


CALCULATION OF RETURN ON ASSETS
			Trailing Twelve Months
			Ended			July 31,
(Dollars in millions)			2023			2022
Numerator
Consolidated net income			$	13,991		$	14,015
Denominator
Average total assets1			251,160			242,876
Return on assets (ROA)			5.6		%	5.8		%

CALCULATION OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Numerator
Operating income			$	21,812		$	23,851
+ Interest income			442			155
+ Depreciation and amortization			11,318			10,733
+ Rent			2,284			2,302
ROI operating income			$	35,856		$	37,041

Denominator
Average total assets1			$	251,160		$	242,876
'+ Average accumulated depreciation and amortization1			110,921			102,155
'- Average accounts payable1			55,384			51,896
'- Average accrued liabilities1			26,541			23,878
Average invested capital			$	280,156		$	269,257
Return on investment (ROI)			12.8		%	13.8		%

	July 31,
Certain Balance Sheet Data	2023		2022			2021
Total assets	$	255,121	$	247,199		$	238,552
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	115,878		105,963			98,346
Accounts payable	56,576		54,191			49,601
Accrued liabilities	29,239		23,843			23,915

1 The average is based on the addition of the account balance at the end of the current period to the account balance at the end of the prior period and dividing by 2.