ATLANTA -- Home improvement retailer
The Home Depot today reported sales of $17.8 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a 5.9 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were positive 5.8 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 6.1 percent.
Net earnings for the first quarter were $1.0 billion, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $812 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2011. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, diluted earnings per share increased 36.0 percent from the same period in the prior year.
First quarter of fiscal 2012 results reflect a benefit to earnings, net of tax, of $43 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the termination of the company's guarantee of a senior secured loan.
"We saw a stronger-than-expected start to the year, driven by record warm weather and continued demand for core products," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and dedication."
Based on its year-to-date performance, the Company updated its fiscal 2012 guidance and now expects sales to be up approximately 4.6 percent for the year on a 53-week basis.
On June 6 at 9 a.m. ET, the company will hold its Investor and Analyst Conference to update the investment community on the long range outlook of the business. All presentations will be webcast live at ir.homedepot.com in the Events & Presentations section.