In a February 17th release, Walmart Inc. (WMT) posted financial results for the 4th quarter and fiscal 2021. Along with other retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, all are subject to the pressures from increased costs for food, packaging and labor in a competitive environment still restrained by COVID. As an international company risks are associated with currency fluctuation, geopolitical events and adverse policies by regulators in host-Nations.

For the 4th Quarter of FY 2022 ending January 31st 2020, net income was $3,562 million on total revenue of $152,871 million.  Comparable figures for the 4th quarter of fiscal 2021 ending January 31st 2021 was a net loss of $(2,091) million due to write-downs on total revenue of $152,079 million. Diluted EPS rose from $(0.79) for the 4th quarter of fiscal 2021 to $1.28 for the most recent quarter.

For FY 2022 net income was $13,673 million on revenue of $572,754 million compared to net income of $13,510 million on revenue of $559,151 million for FY 2021 impacted by COVID. Diluted EPS for FY 2022 attained $4.87 compared to $4.75 million for FY 2021 The adjusted EPS of $6.42 for FY 2022 exceeded the consensus estimate of $6.46 .

In the investor call Doug McMillon CEO and president noted “Our team delivered net sales growth of 7.6% and adjusted EPS growth of 9.3% excluding divestitures. We continued to gain market share in food and consumables in the U.S., and comparative sales value and transactions were all positive. Consumer demand during the quarter was strong, and the team overcame a number of challenges in the U.S. and around the world to deliver these strong results,” He concluded “Going into the quarter, we were confident that we had the people, the products and the prices to deliver, and we did. Food, consumables and apparel were also strong globally.”

For FY 2022 segment results comprised:-

Walmart USA: Net sales $105,300 million. Operating income $5,200 million. Compararable same-store sales  +5.7 percent.

International: Net sales $27,000 million. Operating income $800 million.

Sam’s Club: Net sales $19,200 million. Operating income $500 million. Comparable same-store sales  +10.5 percent.

Walmart operates 10,566 stores worldwide of which 4,742 are in the U.S.

Forward guidance for FY 2023 included a 3% increase in revenue and EPS higher by 5 to 6 percent.

On December 25th 2021, WMT posted assets of $244,860 million with long-term debt and lease obligations of $52,116. The Company had an intraday market capitalization of $413,050 million on February 17th. WMT trades with a forward P/E of 20.1 and has ranged over a 52-week period from $126.28 to $152.57 with a 50-day moving average of $140.57.  Twelve-month trailing operating margin was 5.2 percent and profit margin 1.4 percent.  Return on assets over the past twelve months was 7.5 percent and the return on equity 9.3 percent. At close of trading on February 16th pre-release, WMT was priced at $133.51. At market close, post-release on February 17th WMT traded at at $138.88 up 4.0 percent on the day.