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HOME DEPOT, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 August (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 4, 2019
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 1-8207
thdpms5prcntrulemediuma16.jpg
THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
 
 
95-3261426
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2455 Paces Ferry Road
 
 
 
 
Atlanta,
Georgia
 
 
 
30339
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)
(770) 433-8211
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report): N/A
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.05 Par Value Per Share
 
HD
 
New York Stock Exchange LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒         Accelerated filer ☐      Non-accelerated filer ☐     Smaller reporting company ☐     Emerging growth company ☐    
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
1,095,153,073 shares of common stock, $0.05 par value, as of August 20, 2019
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

COMMONLY USED OR DEFINED TERMS
Term
 
Definition
ASU
 
Accounting Standards Update
Comparable sales
 
EPA
 
Environmental Protection Agency
Exchange Act
 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board
fiscal 2018
 
Fiscal year ended February 3, 2019 (includes 53 weeks)
fiscal 2019
 
Fiscal year ending February 2, 2020 (includes 52 weeks)
GAAP
 
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
Interline
 
The legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro
MD&A
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
NOPAT
 
Net operating profit after tax
Restoration Plan
 
Home Depot FutureBuilder Restoration Plan
ROIC
 
Return on invested capital
SEC
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act
 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
SG&A
 
Selling, general, and administrative
Tax Act
 
2017 tax reform, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
2018 Form 10-K
 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2018 as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2019


ii
Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein, as well as in other filings we make with the SEC and other written and oral information we release, regarding our future performance constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans, and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims, and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of the Tax Act and other regulatory changes; store openings and closures; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions.
Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on actions of third parties, or currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report and as also may be described from time to time in our future reports we file with the SEC. You should read such information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this report. There also may be other factors that we cannot anticipate or that are not described in this report, generally because we do not currently perceive them to be material. Such factors could cause results to differ materially from our expectations.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the SEC.


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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
in millions, except per share data
August 4,
2019
 
February 3,
2019
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,547

 
$
1,778

Receivables, net
2,274

 
1,936

Merchandise inventories
14,741

 
13,925

Other current assets
1,137

 
890

Total current assets
20,699

 
18,529

Net property and equipment
22,387

 
22,375

Operating lease right-of-use assets
5,789

 
—

Goodwill
2,254

 
2,252

Other assets
881

 
847

Total assets
$
52,010

 
$
44,003

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Short-term debt
$
—

 
$
1,339

Accounts payable
9,494

 
7,755

Accrued salaries and related expenses
1,478

 
1,506

Sales taxes payable
766

 
656

Deferred revenue
2,233

 
1,782

Current installments of long-term debt
1,315

 
1,056

Current operating lease liabilities
831

 
—

Other accrued expenses
2,681

 
2,622

Total current liabilities
18,798

 
16,716

Long-term debt, excluding current installments
27,064

 
26,807

Long-term operating lease liabilities
5,263

 
—

Other long-term liabilities
2,045

 
2,358

Total liabilities
53,170

 
45,881

 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.05; authorized: 10,000 shares; issued: 1,785 at August 4, 2019 and 1,782 shares at February 3, 2019; outstanding: 1,096 shares at August 4, 2019 and 1,105 shares at February 3, 2019
89

 
89

Paid-in capital
10,777

 
10,578

Retained earnings
49,446

 
46,423

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(776
)
 
(772
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 689 shares at August 4, 2019 and 677 shares at February 3, 2019
(60,696
)
 
(58,196
)
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity
(1,160
)
 
(1,878
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
52,010

 
$
44,003

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions, except per share data
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net sales
$
30,839

 
$
30,463

 
$
57,220

 
$
55,410

Cost of sales
20,407

 
20,098

 
37,771

 
36,428

Gross profit
10,432

 
10,365

 
19,449

 
18,982

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
5,044

 
5,004

 
9,984

 
9,783

Depreciation and amortization
492

 
460

 
972

 
917

Total operating expenses
5,536

 
5,464

 
10,956

 
10,700

Operating income
4,896

 
4,901

 
8,493

 
8,282

Interest and other (income) expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and investment income
(19
)
 
(26
)
 
(34
)
 
(48
)
Interest expense
302

 
272

 
590

 
533

Interest and other, net
283

 
246

 
556

 
485

Earnings before provision for income taxes
4,613

 
4,655

 
7,937

 
7,797

Provision for income taxes
1,134

 
1,149

 
1,945

 
1,887

Net earnings
$
3,479

 
$
3,506

 
$
5,992

 
$
5,910

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares
1,095

 
1,144

 
1,098

 
1,148

Basic earnings per share
$
3.18

 
$
3.06

 
$
5.46

 
$
5.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average common shares
1,099

 
1,149

 
1,103

 
1,154

Diluted earnings per share
$
3.17

 
$
3.05

 
$
5.43

 
$
5.12

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net earnings
$
3,479

 
$
3,506

 
$
5,992

 
$
5,910

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
59

 
(187
)
 
16

 
(263
)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax
4

 
20

 
6

 
48

Other
(4
)
 
(11
)
 
5

 
7

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
59

 
(178
)
 
27

 
(208
)
Comprehensive income
$
3,538

 
$
3,328

 
$
6,019

 
$
5,702

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited) 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
89

 
$
89

 
$
89

 
$
89

Shares issued under employee stock plans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance at end of period
89

 
89

 
89

 
89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paid-in Capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
10,590

 
10,017

 
10,578

 
10,192

Shares issued under employee stock plans
123

 
110

 
59

 
11

Stock-based compensation expense
64

 
69

 
140

 
144

Repurchases of common stock
—

 
(117
)
 
—

 
(268
)
Balance at end of period
10,777

 
10,079

 
10,777

 
10,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retained Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
47,459

 
41,221

 
46,423

 
39,935

Cumulative effect of accounting changes
—

 
—

 
26

 
75

Net earnings
3,479

 
3,506

 
5,992

 
5,910

Cash dividends
(1,492
)
 
(1,184
)
 
(2,991
)
 
(2,373
)
Other
—

 
—

 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Balance at end of period
49,446

 
43,543

 
49,446

 
43,543

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(835
)
 
(596
)
 
(772
)
 
(566
)
Cumulative effect of accounting change
—

 
—

 
(31
)
 
—

Foreign currency translation adjustments
59

 
(187
)
 
16

 
(263
)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax
4

 
20

 
6

 
48

Other
(4
)
 
(11
)
 
5

 
7

Balance at end of period
(776
)
 
(774
)
 
(776
)
 
(774
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Treasury Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(59,446
)
 
(49,044
)
 
(58,196
)
 
(48,196
)
Repurchases of common stock
(1,250
)
 
(1,884
)
 
(2,500
)
 
(2,732
)
Balance at end of period
(60,696
)
 
(50,928
)
 
(60,696
)
 
(50,928
)
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity
$
(1,160
)
 
$
2,009

 
$
(1,160
)
 
$
2,009

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




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Table of Contents

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
5,992

 
$
5,910

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
1,107

 
1,062

Stock-based compensation expense
139

 
144

Changes in receivables, net
(338
)
 
(192
)
Changes in merchandise inventories
(810
)
 
(1,355
)
Changes in other current assets
(244
)
 
(468
)
Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses
2,051

 
2,617

Changes in deferred revenue
452

 
287

Changes in income taxes payable
11

 
21

Changes in deferred income taxes
58

 
(120
)
Other operating activities
79

 
1

Net cash provided by operating activities
8,497

 
7,907

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures, net of non-cash capital expenditures
(1,246
)
 
(1,091
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
11

 
16

Other investing activities
(14
)
 
—

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,249
)
 
(1,075
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Repayments of short-term debt, net
(1,339
)
 
(1,559
)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums
1,404

 
—

Repayments of long-term debt
(1,030
)
 
(28
)
Repurchases of common stock
(2,619
)
 
(3,121
)
Proceeds from sales of common stock
157

 
125

Cash dividends
(2,991
)
 
(2,373
)
Other financing activities
(70
)
 
142

Net cash used in financing activities
(6,488
)
 
(6,814
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
760

 
18

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
9

 
(123
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,778

 
3,595

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
2,547

 
$
3,490

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized
$
558

 
$
515

Cash paid for income taxes
1,912

 
2,009

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of The Home Depot, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company," "Home Depot," "we," "our" or "us") have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2018 Form 10-K.
There were no significant changes to our significant accounting policies as disclosed in the 2018 Form 10-K, except as set forth below.
Leases
On February 4, 2019, we adopted the new leases standard using the modified retrospective transition method, which requires that we recognize leases differently pre- and post-adoption. See "—Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements—ASU No. 2016-02" below for more information.
We categorize leases at their inception as either operating or finance leases. Lease agreements cover certain retail locations, office space, warehouse and distribution space, equipment, and vehicles. Most of these leases are operating leases; however, certain retail locations and equipment are leased under finance leases. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in net property and equipment, current installments of long-term debt, and long-term debt, excluding current installments in our consolidated balance sheets.
Leased assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use a secured incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for present value of lease payments when the rate implicit in the contract is not readily determinable. We determine a secured rate on a quarterly basis and update the weighted average discount rate accordingly. For operating leases with variable payments dependent upon an index or rate that commenced subsequent to adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, we apply the active index or rate as of the lease commencement date. Variable lease payments not based on an index or rate are not included in the operating lease liability as they cannot be reasonably estimated and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Leases that have a term of twelve months or less upon commencement date are considered short-term in nature. Accordingly, short-term leases are not included on the consolidated balance sheets and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term, which commences on the date we have the right to control the property.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2018-02. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which allows for an optional reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects as a result of the Tax Act. On February 4, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2018-02 resulting in an increase of $31 million to retained earnings and a decrease of $31 million to accumulated other comprehensive income.
ASU No. 2017-12. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements. ASU No. 2017-12 eliminates the concept of recognizing periodic hedge ineffectiveness for cash flow and net investment hedges and allows an entity to apply the shortcut method to partial-term fair value hedges of interest rate risk. On February 4, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2017-12 with no impact to our consolidated financial statements. We expect the impact of the adoption to be immaterial to our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on an ongoing basis.

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Table of Contents

ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which establishes a right-of-use model and requires an entity that is a lessee to recognize the right-of-use assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheets. ASU No. 2016-02 also requires disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting both the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statements of earnings. This guidance was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. ASU No. 2016-02 and subsequent updates require a modified retrospective transition, with the cumulative effect of transition, including initial recognition of lease assets and liabilities for existing operating leases, as of (i) the effective date or (ii) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. These updates also provide a number of practical expedients for implementation which we are applying, as discussed below.
On February 4, 2019 (the “effective date”), we adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and subsequent updates, collectively referred to as Topic 842, using the modified retrospective transition method. In addition, we adopted the package of practical expedients in transition, which permits us to not reassess our prior conclusions pertaining to lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs on leases that commenced prior to our adoption of the new standard. We also elected the ongoing practical expedient to not recognize operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities related to short-term leases. We did not elect the use-of-hindsight or land easements practical expedients. For leases beginning subsequent to the effective date, we elected to not separate lease and non-lease components for certain classes of assets including real estate and certain equipment. To determine the measurement of the lease liability for operating leases with variable payments based on an index or rate that commenced prior to the adoption of Topic 842, we elected to apply the active index or rate at the effective date.
As a result of adopting Topic 842, we recognized net operating lease right-of-use assets of $5.7 billion and operating lease liabilities of $6.0 billion on the effective date. Existing prepaid rent, accrued rent, and closed store reserves were recorded as an offset to our gross operating lease right-of-use assets. The cumulative effect of the adoption resulted in an immaterial adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of February 4, 2019. The standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements pending adoption not discussed above or in the 2018 Form 10-K are either not applicable or will not have or are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
2.
NET SALES
No sales to an individual customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during the three and six months ended August 4, 2019 and July 29, 2018. Net sales, classified by geography, follow.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net sales – in the U.S.
$
28,186

 
$
27,852

 
$
52,639

 
$
50,895

Net sales – outside the U.S.
2,653

 
2,611

 
4,581

 
4,515

Net sales
$
30,839

 
$
30,463

 
$
57,220

 
$
55,410


Net sales by products and services follow.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net sales – products
$
29,480

 
$
29,076

 
$
54,712

 
$
52,811

Net sales – services
1,359

 
1,387

 
2,508

 
2,599

Net sales
$
30,839

 
$
30,463

 
$
57,220

 
$
55,410



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Table of Contents

Major product lines, as well as the associated merchandising departments (and related services) follow.
Major Product Line
 
Merchandising Departments
Building Materials
 
Building Materials, Electrical/Lighting, Lumber, Millwork, and Plumbing
Décor
 
Appliances, Décor/Storage, Flooring, Kitchen and Bath, and Paint
Hardlines
 
Hardware, Indoor Garden, Outdoor Garden, and Tools

During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we combined the Electrical and Lighting merchandising departments into one department, Electrical/Lighting, and we renamed the Décor merchandising department to Décor/Storage. These changes had no impact on our net sales presentations.
Net sales by major product lines (and related services) follow.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Building Materials
$
10,495

 
$
10,660

 
$
19,899

 
$
19,981

Décor
10,050

 
9,653

 
18,795

 
18,066

Hardlines
10,294

 
10,150

 
18,526

 
17,363

Net sales
$
30,839

 
$
30,463

 
$
57,220

 
$
55,410

—————
Note: Net sales for certain merchandising departments were reclassified in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. As a result, prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current-period presentation.
3.
PROPERTY AND LEASES
Net Property and Equipment
Net property and equipment includes accumulated depreciation and amortization of $21.3 billion as of August 4, 2019 and $20.6 billion as of February 3, 2019.
Leases
We lease certain retail locations, office space, warehouse and distribution space, equipment, and vehicles. While most of these leases are operating leases, certain retail locations and equipment are leased under finance leases. We consider various factors such as market conditions and the terms of any renewal options that may exist to determine whether we will renew or replace the lease. A substantial majority of our leases have remaining lease terms of one to 20 years, typically with the option to extend the leases for up to five years. Some of our leases may include the option to terminate in less than five years. In the event we are reasonably certain to exercise the option to extend a lease, we will include the extended terms in the operating lease right-of-use asset and operating lease liability. Real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and operating expenses applicable to the leased property are generally our obligations under the lease agreements.
Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Further, certain lease agreements include rental payments based on an index or rate and others include rental payments based on a percentage of sales.

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The balance sheet location of assets and liabilities related to operating and finance leases follow.
in millions
Balance Sheet Caption
August 4,
2019
Assets:
 
 
Operating lease assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
5,789

Finance lease assets
Net property and equipment
863

Total lease assets
 
$
6,652

 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
Current:
 
 
   Operating lease liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
$
831

   Finance lease liabilities
Current installments of long-term debt
67

Long-term:
 
 
   Operating lease liabilities
Long-term operating lease liabilities
5,263

   Finance lease liabilities
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
1,020

Total lease liabilities
 
$
7,181


The components of lease cost follow.
in millions
Statement of Earnings Caption
Three Months Ended
August 4, 2019
 
Six Months Ended
August 4, 2019
Operating lease cost
Selling, general and administrative
$
205

 
$
415

Finance lease cost:
 
 
 
 
   Amortization of leased assets
Depreciation and amortization
22

 
43

   Interest on lease liabilities
Interest expense
23

 
46

Short-term lease cost
Selling, general and administrative
18

 
43

Variable lease cost
Selling, general and administrative
64

 
122

Sublease income
Selling, general and administrative
(4
)
 
(7
)
   Net lease cost
 
$
328

 
$
662


ASU 2016-02 requires that public companies use a secured incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for present value of lease payments when the rate implicit in the contract is not readily determinable. We determine a secured rate on a quarterly basis and update the weighted average discount rate accordingly. Lease terms and discount rates follow.
 
August 4,
2019
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years):
 
   Operating leases
10

   Finance leases
13

 
 
Weighted Average Discount Rate:
 
   Operating leases
3.1
%
   Finance leases
11.3
%


9
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The approximate future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases at August 4, 2019 follow.
in millions
Operating
Leases
 
Finance
Leases
Fiscal 2019
$
479

 
$
82

Fiscal 2020
942

 
158

Fiscal 2021
834

 
153

Fiscal 2022
734

 
150

Fiscal 2023
640

 
143

Thereafter
3,341

 
993

Total lease payments
6,970

 
1,679

Less imputed interest
876

 
592

Present value of lease liabilities
$
6,094

 
$
1,087

—————
Note: Amounts presented do not include payments relating to immaterial leases excluded from the balance sheets as part of transition elections adopted upon implementation of Topic 842. Additionally, we have excluded approximately $1.4 billion of leases (undiscounted basis) that have not yet commenced. These leases will commence between 2019 and 2020 with lease terms of one to 20 years.
The approximate future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases at February 3, 2019 and accounted for under previous lease guidance follow.
in millions
Operating
Leases
 
Capital
Leases
Fiscal 2019
$
976

 
$
150

Fiscal 2020
912

 
167

Fiscal 2021
792

 
143

Fiscal 2022
682

 
142

Fiscal 2023
584

 
137

Thereafter
3,090

 
970

 
$
7,036

 
1,709

Less imputed interest
 
 
660

Net present value of capital lease obligations
 
 
1,049

Less current installments
 
 
57

Long-term capital lease obligations, excluding current installments
 
 
$
992


Other lease information follows.
in millions
Six Months Ended
August 4, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 
Operating cash flows – operating leases
$
500

Operating cash flows – finance leases
46

Financing cash flows – finance leases
30

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
520

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities
67



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4.
DEBT AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
June 2019 Issuance. In June 2019, we issued two tranches of senior notes.
•
The first tranche consisted of $1.0 billion of 2.95% senior notes due June 15, 2029 (the “2029 notes”) at a discount of $6 million. Interest on the 2029 notes is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2019.
•
The second tranche consisted of $400 million of 3.90% senior notes due June 15, 2047 (the “2047 notes”) at a premium of $10 million. The 2047 notes form a single series with the Company’s $750 million 3.90% senior notes due June 15, 2047 that were issued in June 2017 and have the same terms. The aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Company’s senior notes due June 15, 2047 is $1.2 billion. Interest on the 2047 notes is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2019, with interest accruing from June 15, 2019.
•
Issuance costs totaled $9.9 million. The net proceeds of the June 2019 issuance were used to repay the Company's 2.00% senior notes that matured on June 15, 2019 and for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of common stock.
The 2029 notes and 2047 notes may be redeemed by us at any time, in whole or in part, at the redemption price plus accrued interest up to the redemption date. The redemption price is equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest to the Par Call Date, as defined in the respective notes. Additionally, if a Change in Control Triggering Event, as defined in the notes, occurs, holders of all notes have the right to require us to redeem those notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest up to the redemption date. We are generally not limited under the indentures governing the notes in our ability to incur additional indebtedness or required to maintain financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. The indentures governing the notes contain various customary covenants; however, none are expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources.
Also, in June 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $350 million, accounted for as a fair value hedge, to hedge against changes in the fair value of the 2029 notes attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate.
5.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Stock Rollforward
A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock and dividends per share follows.
shares in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
1,784

 
1,781

 
1,782

 
1,780

Shares issued under employee stock plans
1

 
1

 
3

 
2

Balance at end of period
1,785

 
1,782

 
1,785

 
1,782

Treasury stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(683
)
 
(627
)
 
(677
)
 
(622
)
Repurchases of common stock
(6
)
 
(10
)
 
(12
)
 
(15
)
Balance at end of period
(689
)
 
(637
)
 
(689
)
 
(637
)
Shares outstanding at end of period
1,096

 
1,145

 
1,096

 
1,145

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share
$
1.36

 
$
1.03

 
$
2.72

 
$
2.06


6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The fair value of an asset is considered to be the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated knowledgeable and willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, rather than the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the

11
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creditor. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow.

Fair Value at August 4, 2019 Using
 
Fair Value at February 3, 2019 Using
in millions 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Derivative agreements – assets
$
—

 
$
190

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
138

 
$
—

Derivative agreements – liabilities
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(11
)
 
—

Total
$
—

 
$
189

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
127

 
$
—


We use derivative financial instruments from time to time in the management of our interest rate exposure on long-term debt and our exposure on foreign currency fluctuations. The fair value of our derivative financial instruments was measured using observable market information (level 2).
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short-term debt, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments.
Long-lived assets and other intangible assets are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurement for the assessment of impairment or as the result of business acquisitions. We did not have any material assets or liabilities subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements as of August 4, 2019 or February 3, 2019, respectively.
The aggregate fair values and carrying values of our senior notes follow.
 
August 4,
2019
 
February 3,
2019
in millions 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
Senior notes
$
30,910

 
$
27,293

 
$
28,348

 
$
26,814


7.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
The reconciliation of our basic to diluted weighted average common shares follows.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
in millions
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Basic weighted average common shares
1,095

 
1,144

 
1,098

 
1,148

Effect of potentially dilutive securities
4

 
5

 
5

 
6

Diluted weighted average common shares
1,099

 
1,149

 
1,103

 
1,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted weighted average common shares
—

 
—

 
1

 
—


8.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. In management’s opinion, any such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

12
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
The Home Depot, Inc.:
Results of Review of Interim Financial Information
We have reviewed the Consolidated Balance Sheet of The Home Depot, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of August 4, 2019, the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, and Stockholders’ Equity for the three-month and six-month periods ended August 4, 2019 and July 29, 2018, the related Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended August 4, 2019 and July 29, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the “Consolidated Interim Financial Information”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the Consolidated Interim Financial Information for it to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company as of February 3, 2019, and the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, Stockholders’ Equity, and Cash Flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 28, 2019, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 3, 2019, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the Consolidated Balance Sheet from which it has been derived.
Basis for Review Results
This Consolidated Interim Financial Information is the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of consolidated interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
August 26, 2019


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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Our MD&A includes the following sections:
•
•
•
•
Executive Summary
Quarter to date and year to date highlights of our financial performance follow.
dollars in millions, except per share data
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net sales
$
30,839

 
$
30,463

 
$
57,220

 
$
55,410

Net earnings
3,479

 
3,506

 
5,992

 
5,910

Effective tax rate
24.6
%
 
24.7
%
 
24.5
%
 
24.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.17

 
$
3.05

 
$
5.43

 
$
5.12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
$
8,497

 
$
7,907

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums
 
 
 
 
1,404

 
—

Repayments of long-term debt
 
 
 
 
1,030

 
28

Repurchases of common stock
 
 
 
 
2,619

 
3,121

We reported net sales of $30.8 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Net earnings were $3.5 billion, or $3.17 per diluted share. For the first six months of fiscal 2019, net sales were $57.2 billion and net earnings were $6.0 billion, or $5.43 per diluted share.
We opened one new store in the U.S. and one new store in Mexico during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, for a total store count of 2,291 at the end of the quarter. As of August 4, 2019, a total of 306 of our stores, or 13.4%, were located in Canada and Mexico. For the second quarter of fiscal 2019, total sales per square foot were $509.55 and our inventory turnover ratio was 5.1 times.
We generated $8.5 billion of cash flow from operations and issued $1.4 billion of long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums, during the first six months of fiscal 2019. This cash flow, together with cash on hand, was used to pay $3.0 billion of dividends, fund cash payments of $2.6 billion for share repurchases, repay $1.3 billion of net short-term borrowings, fund $1.2 billion in capital expenditures, and repay $1.0 billion of senior notes that matured in June 2019. In February 2019, we announced a 32.0% increase in our quarterly cash dividend to $1.36 per share.
Our ROIC for the trailing twelve-month period was 43.7% at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2019. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below for our definition and calculation of ROIC, as well as a reconciliation of NOPAT, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net earnings (the most comparable GAAP financial measure).
Results of Operations and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The tables and discussion below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and in the 2018 Form 10-K and with our MD&A included in the 2018 Form 10-K. We believe the percentage relationship between net sales and major categories in our consolidated statements of earnings, as well as the percentage change in the associated dollar amounts, are relevant to an evaluation of our business.

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Table of Contents

Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 Three Month Comparisons
 
Three Months Ended
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
dollars in millions
$
 
% of
Net Sales
 
$
 
% of
Net Sales
Net sales
$
30,839

 
 
 
$
30,463

 
 
Gross profit
10,432

 
33.8
 %
 
10,365

 
34.0
 %
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
5,044

 
16.4

 
5,004

 
16.4

Depreciation and amortization
492

 
1.6

 
460

 
1.5

Total operating expenses
5,536

 
18.0

 
5,464

 
17.9

Operating income
4,896

 
15.9

 
4,901

 
16.1

Interest and other (income) expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and investment income
(19
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(26
)
 
(0.1
)
Interest expense
302

 
1.0

 
272

 
0.9

Interest and other, net
283

 
0.9

 
246

 
0.8

Earnings before provision for income taxes
4,613

 
15.0

 
4,655

 
15.3

Provision for income taxes
1,134

 
3.7

 
1,149

 
3.8

Net earnings
$
3,479

 
11.3
 %
 
$
3,506

 
11.5
 %
—————
Note: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
Selected financial and sales data:
 
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
 
% Change
Comparable sales (% change)
 
 
3.0%

 
8.0%

 
N/A
Comparable customer transactions (% change) (1)
 
 
1.0%

 
2.9%

 
N/A
Comparable average ticket (% change) (1)
 
 
2.0%

 
4.9%

 
N/A
Customer transactions (in millions) (1)
 
 
455.5

 
455.4

 
0.0%
Average ticket (1)
 
 
$
67.31

 
$
66.20

 
1.7%
Sales per square foot (1)
 
 
$
509.55

 
$
504.20

 
1.1%
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
$
3.17

 
$
3.05

 
3.9%
—————
(1)
Does not include results for Interline.
Sales. We assess our sales performance by evaluating both net sales and comparable sales.
Net Sales. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 1.2% to $30.8 billion from $30.5 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase in net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 primarily reflected the impact of positive comparable sales driven by an increase in comparable average ticket and comparable customer transactions. Online sales, which consist of sales generated online through our websites for products picked up in our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 8.9% of net sales and grew 20.1% during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. A stronger U.S. dollar negatively impacted sales growth by $29 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
Comparable Sales. Comparable sales is a measure that highlights the performance of our existing locations and websites by measuring the change in net sales for a period over the comparable prior-period of equivalent length. Comparable sales includes sales at all locations, physical and online, open greater than 52 weeks (including remodels and relocations) and excluding closed stores. Retail stores become comparable on the Monday following their 365th day of operation. Acquisitions, digital or otherwise, are included in comparable sales after we own the acquired assets for more than 52 weeks. Comparable sales includes new product and service offering sales that have been offered for more than 52 weeks. Comparable sales excludes prior-year sales of product and service offerings that we have exited in the current period. Fiscal 2019 includes 52 weeks and fiscal 2018 included 53

15
Table of Contents

weeks. For our calculation of comparable sales in fiscal 2019, we will compare weeks 1 through 52 in fiscal 2019 against weeks 2 through 53 in fiscal 2018. Comparable sales is intended only as supplemental information and is not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with GAAP.
Total comparable sales increased 3.0% in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, consisting of a 2.0% increase in comparable average ticket and a 1.0% increase in comparable customer transactions. The increase in comparable sales reflected a number of factors, including execution of our strategic efforts to drive an enhanced interconnected experience in both the physical and digital worlds. The difference between our comparable sales growth and total sales growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 was primarily due to the shift in our fiscal calendar as a result of the 53rd week in fiscal 2018.
All of our departments posted positive comparable sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 except for Lumber, which was negatively impacted by commodity price deflation. We expect lumber prices to remain depressed in the second half of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for our Appliances, Tools, Décor/Storage, Indoor Garden, Building Materials, Paint, Outdoor Garden, Hardware, and Plumbing merchandising departments were above the Company average in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $10.4 billion for the second quarter of both fiscal 2019 and 2018. Gross profit as a percent of net sales, or gross profit margin, was 33.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 34.0% for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily driven by higher shrink, a change in product mix, and higher supply chain expense.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses are composed of SG&A and depreciation and amortization.
Selling, General & Administrative. SG&A was $5.0 billion for the second quarter of both fiscal 2019 and 2018. As a percent of net sales, SG&A was 16.4% for the second quarter of both fiscal 2019 and 2018, driven by expense leverage resulting from the positive comparable sales environment and continued expense control, partially offset by strategic investments in the business.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $32 million to $492 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from $460 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, depreciation and amortization was 1.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 1.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, reflecting strategic investments in the business, leverage resulting from the positive comparable sales environment, and timing of asset additions.
Interest and Other, net. Interest and other, net, was $283 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $246 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Interest and other, net, as a percent of net sales was 0.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 0.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, due primarily to higher interest expense resulting from higher debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our combined effective income tax rate was 24.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 24.7% for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The decrease in the provision for income taxes in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 was primarily due to the tax benefit related to stock compensation and the positive impact of certain state tax settlements.
Diluted Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share were $3.17 for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $3.05 for the second quarter of fiscal 2018.

16
Table of Contents

Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 Six Month Comparisons
 
Six Months Ended
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
dollars in millions
$
 
% of
Net Sales
 
$
 
% of
Net Sales
Net sales
$
57,220

 
 
 
$
55,410

 
 
Gross profit
19,449

 
34.0
 %
 
18,982

 
34.3
 %
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
9,984

 
17.4

 
9,783

 
17.7

Depreciation and amortization
972

 
1.7

 
917

 
1.7

Total operating expenses
10,956

 
19.1

 
10,700

 
19.3

Operating income
8,493

 
14.8

 
8,282

 
14.9

Interest and other (income) expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and investment income
(34
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(48
)
 
(0.1
)
Interest expense
590

 
1.0

 
533

 
1.0

Interest and other, net
556

 
1.0

 
485

 
0.9

Earnings before provision for income taxes
7,937

 
13.9

 
7,797

 
14.1

Provision for income taxes
1,945

 
3.4

 
1,887

 
3.4

Net earnings
$
5,992

 
10.5
 %
 
$
5,910

 
10.7
 %
—————
Note: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
Selected financial and sales data:
 
 
August 4, 2019
 
July 29, 2018
 
% Change
Comparable sales (% change)
 
 
2.8%

 
6.2%

 
N/A
Comparable customer transactions (% change) (1)
 
 
0.8%

 
0.9%

 
N/A
Comparable average ticket (% change) (1)
 
 
2.0%

 
5.3%

 
N/A
Customer transactions (in millions) (1)
 
 
845.5

 
831.2

 
1.7%
Average ticket (1)
 
 
$
67.31

 
$
66.12

 
1.8%
Sales per square foot (1)
 
 
$
472.22

 
$
458.07

 
3.1%
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
$
5.43

 
$
5.12

 
6.1%
—————
(1)
Does not include results for Interline.

Sales.
Net Sales. For the first six months of fiscal 2019, net sales increased 3.3% to $57.2 billion from $55.4 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2018. The increase in net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2019 primarily reflected the impact of positive comparable sales driven by an increase in comparable average ticket growth and comparable customer transactions. Online sales, which consist of sales generated online through our websites for products picked up in our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 8.9% of net sales and grew 21.4% during the first six months of fiscal 2019. A stronger U.S. dollar negatively impacted sales growth by $105 million in the first six months of fiscal 2019.
Comparable Sales. For the first six months of fiscal 2019, total comparable sales increased 2.8%. This increase reflected a number of factors, including the execution of our strategic efforts to drive an enhanced interconnected experience in both the physical and digital worlds. Our comparable average ticket increased 2.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2019, due in part to big ticket purchases.
During the first six months of fiscal 2019, all of our departments except for three posted positive comparable sales. Comparable sales for our Appliances, Indoor Garden, Tools, Décor/Storage, Building Materials, Outdoor Garden, Plumbing, Hardware, and Paint merchandising departments were above the Company average for the first six months of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for Flooring and Electrical/Lighting were slightly negative due to the impact

17
Table of Contents

of prior-year hurricane-related sales and price deflation in light bulbs, respectively. Comparable sales for Lumber were negatively impacted by commodity price deflation.
Gross Profit. For the first six months of fiscal 2019, gross profit increased $467 million to $19.4 billion from $19.0 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2018. Gross profit as a percent of net sales, or gross profit margin, was 34.0% in the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to 34.3% for the first six months of fiscal 2018. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily driven by higher shrink, a change in product mix, and higher supply chain expense.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses are composed of SG&A and depreciation and amortization.
Selling, General & Administrative. SG&A increased $201 million to $10.0 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2019 from $9.8 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, SG&A was 17.4% for the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to 17.7% for the first six months of fiscal 2018. The decrease in SG&A as a percent of net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2019 was primarily driven by expense leverage resulting from the positive comparable sales environment and continued expense control.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $55 million to $972 million for the first six months of fiscal 2019 from $917 million in the first six months of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, depreciation and amortization was unchanged at 1.7% for the first six months of both fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, reflecting strategic investments in the business, leverage resulting from the positive comparable sales environment, and timing of asset additions.
Interest and Other, net. Interest and other, net was $556 million in the first six months of fiscal 2019, compared to $485 million for the first six months of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, it was 1.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to 0.9% for the first six months of fiscal 2018. The increase in interest and other, net as a percent of sales was due primarily to the impact of higher debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our combined effective income tax rate was 24.5% for the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to 24.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2018. The increase in the provision for income taxes in the first six months of fiscal 2019 was primarily due to the positive impact of certain state tax settlements in the prior year.
Diluted Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share were $5.43 for the first six months of fiscal 2019, compared to $5.12 for the first six months of fiscal 2018.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To provide clarity, internally and externally, about our operating performance, we supplement our reporting with certain non-GAAP financial measures. However, this supplemental information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
Return on Invested Capital. We believe ROIC is meaningful for investors and management because it measures how effectively we deploy our capital base. We define ROIC as NOPAT, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the most recent twelve-month period, divided by average debt and equity. We define average debt and equity as the average of beginning and ending long-term debt (including current installments) and equity for the most recent twelve-month period.

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The calculation of ROIC, together with a reconciliation of NOPAT to net earnings (the most comparable GAAP measure), follows.
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
dollars in millions
 
August 4,
2019
 
July 29,
2018
Net earnings
 
$
11,203

 
$
9,854

Interest and other, net
 
1,045

 
978

Provision for income taxes
 
3,493

 
4,319

Operating income
 
15,741

 
15,151

Income tax adjustment (1)
 
(3,791
)
 
(4,545
)
NOPAT
 
$
11,950

 
$
10,606

 
 
 
 
 
Average debt and equity
 
$
27,364

 
$
28,014

 
 
 
 
 
ROIC
 
43.7
%
 
37.9
%
—————
(1)
Income tax adjustment is defined as operating income multiplied by our effective tax rate for the trailing twelve months.
Additional Information
For information on accounting pronouncements that have impacted or are expected to materially impact our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At August 4, 2019, we had $2.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $1.9 billion was held by our foreign subsidiaries. We believe that our current cash position, access to the long-term debt capital markets, cash flow generated from operations, and funds available under our commercial paper programs should be sufficient not only for our operating requirements but also to enable us to complete our capital expenditure programs and fund dividend payments, share repurchases, and any required long-term debt payments through the next several fiscal years. In addition, we believe that we have the ability to obtain alternative sources of financing.
As we continue our investments in the business, we expect capital expenditures of approximately $2.7 billion in fiscal 2019.
Debt and Derivatives
We have commercial paper programs that allow for borrowings of up to $3.0 billion. All of our short-term borrowings in the first six months of fiscal 2019 were under these commercial paper programs, and the maximum amount outstanding at any time was $2.1 billion. In connection with these programs, we have back-up credit facilities with a consortium of banks for borrowings up to $3.0 billion, which consist of a five-year $2.0 billion credit facility scheduled to expire in December 2022 and a 364-day $1.0 billion credit facility scheduled to expire in December 2019. At August 4, 2019, we were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in the credit facilities, and none are expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources. At August 4, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper programs. We also issue senior notes from time to time as part of our capital management strategy.
We use derivative financial instruments in the management of our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates on certain long-term debt. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Share Repurchases
In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a new $15.0 billion share repurchase program that replaced the previous authorization. In the first six months of fiscal 2019, we had cash payments of $2.6 billion for repurchases of our common stock through open market purchases.

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Cash Flows Summary
Operating Activities. Cash flow generated from operations provides us with a significant source of liquidity. Our operating cash flows result primarily from cash received from our customers, offset by cash payments we make for products and services, employee compensation, operations, and occupancy costs.
Cash provided by or used in operating activities is also subject to changes in working capital. Working capital at any specific point in time is subject to many variables, including seasonality, inventory management and category expansion, the timing of cash receipts and payments, vendor payment terms, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $590 million in the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2018 and was primarily driven by net cash inflows associated with changes in working capital and an increase in net earnings. The increase in net earnings during the first six months of fiscal 2019 was due to the positive comparable sales environment and expense leverage.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities primarily reflected capital expenditures from the continuation of our strategic investments in our business of $1.2 billion during the first six months of fiscal 2019 compared to $1.1 billion of capital expenditures in the first six months of fiscal 2018.
Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities primarily reflected:
•
$3.0 billion of cash dividends paid, $2.6 billion of share repurchases, $1.3 billion of net repayments of short-term debt, and $1.0 billion of net repayments of long-term debt, partially offset by $1.4 billion of net proceeds from long-term debt in the first six months of fiscal 2019, and
•
$3.1 billion of share repurchases, $2.4 billion of cash dividends paid, and $1.6 billion of net repayments of short-term debt in the first six months of fiscal 2018.
Critical Accounting Policies
There were no changes during fiscal 2019 to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in the 2018 Form 10-K. Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Our exposure to market risks results primarily from fluctuations in interest rates. We are also exposed to risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars and on the purchase of goods by these foreign operations that are not denominated in their local currencies. There have been no material changes to our exposure to market risks from those disclosed in the 2018 Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Under the direction and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of August 4, 2019. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2019, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Except as set forth below, there were no material changes during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 to our disclosure in Item 3 of our 2018 Form 10-K.
SEC regulations require us to disclose certain information about proceedings arising under federal, state or local environmental provisions if we reasonably believe that such proceedings may result in monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more.
As previously reported, in January 2017, we became aware of an investigation by the EPA’s criminal investigation division into our compliance with lead-safe work practices for certain jobs performed through our installation services business. We have also previously responded to civil document requests from several EPA regions. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we received a subpoena for documents from the EPA civil enforcement division. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern

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District of Georgia and an amendment of the subpoena from the EPA civil enforcement division. We are continuing to cooperate and engage in discussions with the government on these matters.

As previously reported, in January 2019, we received a letter from the California South Coast Air Quality Management District ("SCAQMD") regarding allegations that we have sold denatured alcohol since 2015 in a manner that is not compliant with applicable rules. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we resolved the matter with SCAQMD, and the vendor from whom we purchased the products paid a settlement on our behalf.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the 2018 Form 10-K. These risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Our operations could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us or by factors that we currently do not consider material to our business. There have been no material changes in the risk factors discussed in the 2018 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The number and average price of shares purchased in each fiscal month of the second quarter of fiscal 2019 follow.
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price
Paid
Per Share(1)
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Program(2)
 
Dollar Value of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased 
Under the Program(2)
May 6, 2019 – June 2, 2019
 
1,965,711

 
$
192.36

 
1,959,569

 
$
13,650,884,674

June 3, 2019 – June 30, 2019
 
1,960,027

 
202.52

 
1,959,492

 
13,254,055,967

July 1, 2019 – August 4, 2019
 
2,233,732

 
213.97

 
2,228,397

 
12,777,252,093

Total
 
6,159,470

 
203.43

 
6,147,458

 
 
—————
(1) These amounts include repurchases pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and our 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Plans"). Under the Plans, participants may surrender shares as payment of applicable tax withholding on the vesting of restricted stock and deferred share awards. Participants in the Plans may also exercise stock options by surrendering shares of common stock that the participants already own as payment of the exercise price. Shares so surrendered by participants in the Plans are repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Plans and applicable award agreement and not pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs.
(2) In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 billion share repurchase program that replaced the previous authorization. The program does not have a prescribed expiration date.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we issued 3,415 deferred stock units under the Home Depot, Inc. Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of the SEC’s Regulation D thereunder. The deferred stock units were credited to the accounts of those non-employee directors who elected to receive all or a portion of board retainers in the form of deferred stock units instead of cash during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The deferred stock units convert to shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis following a termination of service as described in this plan.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we credited 1,255 deferred stock units to participant accounts under the Restoration Plan pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for involuntary, non-contributory plans. The deferred stock units convert to shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis following a termination of service as described in this plan.

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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are incorporated by reference to exhibits or appendices previously filed with the SEC, as indicated by the references in brackets. All other exhibits are filed or furnished herewith.
Exhibit
 
Description
*
[Form 10-Q filed on September 1, 2011, Exhibit 3.1]
*
[Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2019, Exhibit 3.2]
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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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 thereunto duly authorized.
THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
By:
/s/ CRAIG A. MENEAR
 
Craig A. Menear, Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
/s/ CAROL B. TOMÉ
 
Carol B. Tomé, Chief Financial Officer,
and Executive Vice President – Corporate Services

 
Date:
August 26, 2019

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