7 unchanged sentences
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
−Removed: The following table presents quarter-to-date highlights of our financial performance:
−Removed: dollars in millions, except per share data Three Months Ended
+Added: The following table presents quarter to date and year to date highlights of our financial performance:
+Added: dollars in millions, except per share data Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
+Added: 2022 August 1,
+Added: 2021 July 31,
+Added: 2022 August 1,
Net sales $ 43,792 $ 41,118 $ 82,700 $ 78,618
5 unchanged sentences
Repurchases of common stock 3,962 6,905
−Removed: We reported net sales of $38.9 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
+Added: We reported net sales of $43.8 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
Net earnings were $5.2 billion, or $5.05 per diluted share.
−Removed: We lost one store in the U.S.
−Removed: during the first quarter of fiscal 2022 due to a fire, resulting in a total store count of 2,316 at May 1, 2022.
−Removed: A total of 311 stores, or 13.4%, were located in Canada and Mexico.
−Removed: For the first quarter of fiscal 2022, sales per retail square foot were $621.99.
−Removed: Our inventory turnover ratio was 4.4 times at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to 5.5 times at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: The decrease in our inventory turnover ratio was primarily driven by an increase in average inventory levels during the first quarter of fiscal 2022, which primarily resulted from the strong demand environment, the impact of inflation, and the delayed start to spring.
−Removed: We generated $3.8 billion of cash flow from operations and issued $4.0 billion of long-term debt, net of discounts, during the first three months of fiscal 2022.
−Removed: This cash flow, together with cash on hand, was used to fund cash payments of $2.3 billion for share repurchases, repay an aggregate of $2.1 billion of long-term and short-term debt, pay $2.0 billion of dividends, and fund $704 million in capital expenditures.
+Added: For the first six months of fiscal 2022, net sales were $82.7 billion and net earnings were $9.4 billion, or $9.13 per diluted share.
+Added: We did not open or close any stores during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, resulting in a store count of 2,316 at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
+Added: As of July 31, 2022, a total of 311 stores, or 13.4%, were located in Canada and Mexico.
+Added: For the second quarter of fiscal 2022, sales per retail square foot were $700.62, and for the first six months of fiscal 2022, sales per retail square foot were $661.27.
+Added: Our inventory turnover ratio was 4.5 times at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to 5.7 times at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The decrease in our inventory turnover ratio was driven by an increase in average inventory levels during the first half of fiscal 2022 resulting from strategic investments to promote higher in-stock levels and to pull forward merchandise for events in the second half of fiscal 2022 in response to ongoing global supply chain disruption, as well as continued investment in our new supply chain facilities and carry over of some spring seasonal inventory.
+Added: We generated $7.2 billion of cash flow from operations and issued $4.0 billion of long-term debt, net of discounts, during the first six months of fiscal 2022.
+Added: This cash flow, together with cash on hand, was used to fund cash payments of $4.0 billion for share repurchases and $3.9 billion for dividends.
+Added: In addition, we repaid $2.4 billion of long-term debt and $496 million of net short-term debt and funded $1.4 billion in capital expenditures.
In February 2022, we announced a 15% increase in our quarterly cash dividend to $1.90 per share.
−Removed: Our ROIC for the trailing twelve-month period was 45.3% at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and 45.1% at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Our ROIC for the trailing twelve-month period was 45.6% at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2022 and 44.7% at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
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).
3 unchanged sentences
Three Months Ended
+Added: July 31, 2022 August 1, 2021
dollars in millions $ % of
17 unchanged sentences
Selected financial and sales data:
+Added: 2022 August 1,
2021 % Change
18 unchanged sentences
We assess our sales performance by evaluating both net sales and comparable sales.
−Removed: Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $1.4 billion, or 3.8%, to $38.9 billion from $37.5 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: The increase in net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 primarily reflected the impact of positive comparable sales driven by an increase in comparable average ticket, offset by a decrease in comparable customer transactions.
+Added: Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $2.7 billion, or 6.5%, to $43.8 billion from $41.1 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 primarily reflected the impact of positive comparable sales driven by an increase in comparable average ticket, partially offset by a decrease in comparable customer transactions.
A stronger U.S.
−Removed: dollar negatively impacted net sales by $23 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
−Removed: Online sales, which consist of sales generated online through our websites for products picked up at our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 14.3% of net sales and grew by 3.7% during the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: The increase in online sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was driven by customers continuing to leverage our digital platforms for their shopping needs.
+Added: dollar negatively impacted net sales by $129 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
+Added: Online sales, which consist of sales generated through our websites and mobile applications for products picked up at our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 13.9% of net sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 and grew by 12.0% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in online sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was a result of customers continuing to leverage our digital platforms and reflects our ongoing investments to enhance these platforms and related fulfillment capabilities, which support our interconnected retail strategy.
Comparable Sales.
4 unchanged sentences
Comparable sales is intended only as supplemental information and is not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with GAAP.
−Removed: Total comparable sales increased 2.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, reflecting an 11.2% increase in comparable average ticket, partially offset by an 8.4% decrease in comparable customer transactions compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Total comparable sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 5.8%, reflecting a 9.0% increase in comparable average ticket, partially offset by a 3.1% decrease in comparable customer transactions compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
The increase in comparable average ticket was primarily driven by inflation, as well as demand for new and innovative products.
−Removed: The decrease in comparable customer transactions was primarily due to lapping comparable transactions of 19.1% that we experienced in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and the impact of the delayed start to spring in fiscal 2022.
−Removed: During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, 11 of our 14 merchandising departments posted positive comparable sales, led by Plumbing, Building Materials, Millwork, and Paint.
−Removed: Our Outdoor and Indoor Garden departments had double-digit negative comparable sales due to the late arrival of spring this year, and our Appliances department had slightly negative comparable sales, which were impacted by a shift in event timing into the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
+Added: While comparable customer transactions were negative during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, transactions improved compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022 as spring broke across the country.
+Added: During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, all of our merchandising departments posted positive comparable sales compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Our Building Materials, Plumbing, Millwork, Paint, and Hardware departments posted comparable sales above the Company average.
+Added: Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 6.0% to $14.5 billion from $13.7 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, or gross profit margin, was 33.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to 33.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The decrease in gross profit margin during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by investments in our supply chain network and higher product and transportation costs offset by the benefit from higher retail prices.
+Added: Operating Expenses
+Added: Our operating expenses are composed of SG&A and depreciation and amortization.
+Added: Selling, General & Administrative.
+Added: SG&A for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $224 million, or 3.5%, to $6.7 billion from $6.4 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 15.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to 15.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment and strong expense management, partially offset by wage investments for hourly associates and increased operational costs, including investments designed to drive efficiencies in our stores.
+Added: Depreciation and Amortization.
+Added: Depreciation and amortization for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $23 million, or 3.9%, to $616 million from $593 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: As a percentage of net sales, depreciation and amortization was 1.4% for the second quarter of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment, offset by increased depreciation expense from strategic investments in the business.
+Added: Interest and Other, net
+Added: Interest and other, net, was $379 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to $321 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Interest and other, net, as a percentage of net sales was 0.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to 0.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting higher interest expense due to higher debt balances during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, partially offset by leverage from a positive comparable sales environment.
+Added: Provision for Income Taxes
+Added: Our combined effective income tax rate was 24.3% for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to 23.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Diluted Earnings per Share
+Added: Diluted earnings per share were $5.05 for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to $4.53 for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in diluted earnings per share was driven by higher net earnings during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, as well as lower diluted shares due to share repurchases.
+Added: FISCAL 2022 AND FISCAL 2021 SIX MONTH COMPARISONS
+Added: Six Months Ended
+Added: July 31, 2022 August 1, 2021
+Added: dollars in millions $ % of
+Added: Net Sales $ % of
+Added: Net sales $ 82,700 $ 78,618
Gross profit 27,628 33.4 % 26,407 33.6 %
−Removed: Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 3.2% to $13.1 billion from $12.7 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, or gross profit margin, was 33.8% for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to 34.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: The decrease in gross profit margin during the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by investments in our supply chain network, rate and mix pressure from lumber, and higher product and transportation costs offset by the benefit from higher retail prices.
Operating expenses:
+Added: Selling, general and administrative 13,267 16.0 12,807 16.3
+Added: Depreciation and amortization 1,222 1.5 1,180 1.5
+Added: Total operating expenses 14,489 17.5 13,987 17.8
+Added: Operating income 13,139 15.9 12,420 15.8
+Added: Interest and other (income) expense:
+Added: Interest income and other, net (5) — (11) —
+Added: Interest expense 753 0.9 665 0.8
+Added: Interest and other, net 748 0.9 654 0.8
+Added: Earnings before provision for income taxes 12,391 15.0 11,766 15.0
+Added: Provision for income taxes 2,987 3.6 2,814 3.6
+Added: Net earnings $ 9,404 11.4 % $ 8,952 11.4 %
+Added: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.
+Added: Six Months Ended
+Added: Selected financial and sales data:
+Added: 2022 August 1,
+Added: 2021 % Change
+Added: Comparable sales (% change)
+Added: 4.1 % 15.8 % N/A
+Added: Comparable customer transactions (% change) (1)
+Added: (5.7) % 4.6 % N/A
+Added: Comparable average ticket (% change) (1)
+Added: 10.0 % 10.9 % N/A
+Added: Customer transactions (in millions) (1)
+Added: 878.1 928.9 (5.5) %
+Added: Average ticket (1) (2)
+Added: $ 90.82 $ 82.43 10.2 %
+Added: Sales per retail square foot (1) (3)
+Added: $ 661.27 $ 634.30 4.3 %
+Added: Diluted earnings per share
+Added: $ 9.13 $ 8.38 8.9 %
+Added: (1) Does not include results for HD Supply.
+Added: (2) Average ticket represents the average price paid per transaction and is used by management to monitor the performance of the Company, as it represents a primary driver in measuring sales performance.
+Added: (3) Sales per retail square foot represents annualized sales divided by retail store square footage.
+Added: Sales per retail square foot is a measure of the efficiency of sales based on the total square footage of our stores and is used by management to monitor the performance of the Company’s retail operations as an indicator of the productivity of owned and leased square footage for these retail operations.
+Added: We assess our sales performance by evaluating both net sales and comparable sales.
+Added: Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2022 increased 5.2% to $82.7 billion from $78.6 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2022 primarily reflected the impact of positive comparable sales driven by an increase in comparable average ticket, partially offset by a decrease in comparable customer transactions.
+Added: A stronger U.S.
+Added: dollar negatively impacted net sales by $152 million for the first six months of fiscal 2022.
+Added: Online sales, which consist of sales generated through our websites and mobile applications for products picked up in our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 14.1% of net sales during the first six months of fiscal 2022 and grew by 7.9% compared to the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in online sales for the first six months of fiscal 2022 was a result of customers continuing to leverage our digital platforms and reflects our ongoing investments to enhance these platforms and related fulfillment capabilities, which support our interconnected retail strategy.
+Added: Comparable Sales.
+Added: Total comparable sales for the first six months of fiscal 2022 increased 4.1%, reflecting a 10.0% increase in comparable average ticket, partially offset by a 5.7% decrease in comparable customer transactions compared to the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in comparable average ticket was primarily driven by inflation, as well as demand for new and innovative products.
+Added: The decrease in comparable customer transactions reflects the impact of cycling favorable weather and government stimulus during the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: During the first six months of fiscal 2022, 12 of our 14 merchandising departments posted positive comparable sales, led by Plumbing, Building Materials, Millwork, and Paint when compared to the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Our Indoor and Outdoor Garden departments posted single-digit negative comparable sales.
+Added: Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2022 increased 4.6% to $27.6 billion from $26.4 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, or gross profit margin, was 33.4% for the first six months of fiscal 2022 compared to 33.6% for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The decrease in gross profit margin during the first six months of fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by investments in our supply chain network and higher product and transportation costs offset by the benefit from higher retail prices.
+Added: Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are composed of SG&A and depreciation and amortization.
Selling, General & Administrative.
−Removed: SG&A for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $236 million, or 3.7%, to $6.6 billion from $6.4 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 17.0% for the first quarter of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment, offset by wage investments for hourly associates as well as increased operational costs, including investments designed to drive efficiencies in our stores.
+Added: SG&A for the first six months of fiscal 2022 increased $460 million, or 3.6% to $13.3 billion from $12.8 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 16.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2022 compared to 16.3% for the first six months of fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment and strong expense management, partially offset by wage investments for hourly associates and increased operational costs, including investments designed to drive efficiencies in our stores.
Depreciation and Amortization.
−Removed: Depreciation and amortization for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $19 million, or 3.2%, to $606 million from $587 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: As a percentage of net sales, depreciation and amortization was 1.6% for the first quarter of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment, offset by increased depreciation expense from strategic investments in the business.
+Added: Depreciation and amortization for the first six months of fiscal 2022 increased $42 million, or 3.6% to $1.2 billion.
+Added: As a percentage of net sales, depreciation and amortization was 1.5% for the first six months of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, reflecting leverage from a positive comparable sales environment, offset by increased depreciation expense from strategic investments in the business.
Interest and Other, net
−Removed: Interest and other, net, was $369 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to $333 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: Interest and other, net, as a percentage of net sales was 0.9% for the first quarter of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting higher interest expense due to higher debt balances during the first quarter of fiscal 2022, offset by leverage from a positive comparable sales environment.
+Added: Interest and other, net for the first six months of fiscal 2022 was $748 million compared to $654 million for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: Interest and other, net, as a percentage of net sales was 0.9% for the first six months of fiscal 2022 and 0.8% for the first six months of fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting higher interest expense due to higher debt balances during the first six months of fiscal 2022, partially offset by leverage from a positive comparable sales environment.
Provision for Income Taxes
−Removed: Our combined effective income tax rate was 23.9% for the first quarter of both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.
+Added: Our combined effective income tax rate was 24.1% for the first six months of fiscal 2022 compared to 23.9% for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
Diluted Earnings per Share
−Removed: Diluted earnings per share were $4.09 for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to $3.86 for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
−Removed: The increase in diluted earnings per share was driven by lower diluted shares due to share repurchases, as well as higher net earnings during the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
+Added: Diluted earnings per share were $9.13 for the first six months of fiscal 2022, compared to $8.38 for the first six months of fiscal 2021.
+Added: The increase in diluted earnings per share was driven by higher net earnings during the first six months of fiscal 2022, as well as lower diluted shares due to share repurchases.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
−Removed: To provide clarity about our operating performance, we supplement our reporting with certain non-GAAP financial measures.
+Added: To provide clarity on 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.
6 unchanged sentences
Twelve Months Ended
−Removed: dollars in millions May 1,
+Added: dollars in millions July 31,
+Added: 2022 August 1,
Net earnings $ 16,885 $ 15,241
9 unchanged sentences
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
−Removed: At May 1, 2022, we had $2.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $604 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
−Removed: We believe that our current cash position, cash flow generated from operations, funds available from our commercial paper programs, and access to the long-term debt capital markets should be sufficient not only for our operating requirements but also to enable us to invest in the business through capital expenditures, fund dividend payments, fund any share repurchases, make any required debt payments, and satisfy other contractual obligations through the next several fiscal years.
+Added: At July 31, 2022, we had $1.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $862 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
+Added: We believe that our current cash position, cash flow generated from operations, funds available from our commercial paper program, and access to the long-term debt capital markets should be sufficient not only for our operating requirements but also to enable us to invest in the business, fund dividend payments, fund any share repurchases, make any required debt payments, and satisfy other contractual obligations through the next several fiscal years.
In addition, we believe that we have the ability to obtain alternative sources of financing, if necessary.
5 unchanged sentences
However, we may adjust our capital expenditures to support the operations of the business, to enhance long-term strategic positioning, or in response to the economic environment, as necessary or appropriate.
−Removed: During the first three months of fiscal 2022, we paid cash dividends of $2.0 billion to shareholders.
−Removed: In February 2022, we also announced a 15% increase in our quarterly cash dividend from $1.65 to $1.90 per share.
+Added: In February 2022, we announced a 15% increase in our quarterly cash dividend from $1.65 to $1.90 per share.
+Added: During the first six months of fiscal 2022, we paid cash dividends of $3.9 billion to shareholders.
We intend to pay a dividend in the future;
however, any future dividend is subject to declaration by our Board of Directors based on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.
−Removed: In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $20.0 billion share repurchase authorization, of which $7.4 billion remained available as of May 1, 2022.
−Removed: This new authorization replaced the previous authorization and does not have a prescribed expiration date.
−Removed: During the first three months of fiscal 2022, we had cash payments of $2.3 billion for repurchases of our common stock through open market purchases.
−Removed: The amount and continuation of our share repurchases will be influenced by the evolving economic environment and business conditions.
−Removed: We have commercial paper programs that allow for borrowings up to $3.0 billion.
−Removed: 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 2023 and a 364-day $1.0 billion credit facility scheduled to expire in December 2022.
−Removed: At May 1, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper programs, and we were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our credit facilities, none of which are expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources.
+Added: In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $20.0 billion share repurchase authorization, of which $5.8 billion remained available as of July 31, 2022.
+Added: In August 2022, our Board of Directors approved a $15.0 billion share repurchase authorization that replaced the May 2021 authorization and does not have a prescribed expiration date.
+Added: During the first six months of fiscal 2022, we had cash payments of $4.0 billion for repurchases of our common stock through open market purchases.
+Added: In July 2022, we expanded our commercial paper program from $3.0 billion to $5.0 billion to further enhance our financial flexibility.
+Added: All of our short-term borrowings in the first six months of fiscal 2022 were under our commercial paper program, and the maximum amount outstanding at any time was $2.7 billion.
+Added: In connection with our program, we have back-up credit facilities with a consortium of banks.
+Added: In July 2022, we also expanded the borrowing capacity under these back-up facilities from $3.0 billion to $5.0 billion, by entering into a five-year $3.5 billion credit facility scheduled to expire in July 2027 and a 364-day $1.5 billion credit facility scheduled to expire in July 2023.
+Added: These facilities replaced our previously existing five-year $2.0 billion credit facility, which was scheduled to expire in December 2023, and our 364-day $1.0 billion credit facility, which was scheduled to expire in December 2022.
+Added: At July 31, 2022, we had outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program of $539 million, and we were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our credit facilities, none of which are expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources.
We also issue senior notes from time to time as part of our capital management strategy.
In March 2022, we issued $4.0 billion of senior notes.
−Removed: The net proceeds from this issuance are being used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding indebtedness and repurchases of shares of our common stock, subject to market conditions and other business considerations.
−Removed: In March 2022, we also repaid $1.0 billion of senior notes at maturity.
−Removed: In May 2022, subsequent to the end of our first fiscal quarter, we fully repaid $1.25 billion of senior notes, which had a maturity date in June 2022, at the Par Call Date for the notes.
+Added: The net proceeds from this issuance were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding indebtedness and repurchases of shares of our common stock.
+Added: During the first six months of fiscal 2022, we repaid an aggregate of $2.25 billion of senior notes.
The indentures governing our senior notes do not generally limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness or require us to maintain financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity.
8 unchanged sentences
Working capital at any 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.
−Removed: Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $2.5 billion in the first three months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021, primarily driven by changes in working capital, slightly offset by an increase in net earnings.
−Removed: Working capital was primarily impacted by timing of vendor payments, along with higher merchandise inventories at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2022 resulting from several factors, including product and transportation cost inflation, a high demand environment, actions taken to improve in-stocks, and a delayed start to spring.
+Added: Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $2.8 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2021, primarily driven by changes in working capital, slightly offset by an increase in net earnings.
+Added: Working capital was primarily impacted by higher merchandise inventories, along with the timing of vendor payments.
+Added: The increase in inventory was primarily due to inflation, along with strategic investments to promote higher in-stock levels and to pull forward merchandise for events in the second half of fiscal 2022 in response to ongoing global supply chain disruption, as well as continued investment in our new supply chain facilities and carry over of some spring seasonal inventory.
Investing Activities
−Removed: Cash used in investing activities increased by $173 million in the first three months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021, primarily resulting from increased capital expenditures.
+Added: Cash used in investing activities increased by $3 million in the first six months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2021, primarily resulting from increased capital expenditures, partially offset by cash paid for an acquired business during the first six months of fiscal 2021.
Financing Activities
−Removed: Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2022 primarily reflected $2.3 billion of share repurchases, $2.0 billion of cash dividends paid, $1.1 billion of repayments of long-term debt, and $1.0 billion of repayments for short-term debt, partially offset by $4.0 billion of net proceeds from long-term debt.
−Removed: Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2021 primarily reflected $3.8 billion of share repurchases, $1.8 billion of cash dividends paid, and $1.4 billion of repayments of long-term debt.
+Added: Cash used in financing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2022 primarily reflected $4.0 billion of share repurchases, $3.9 billion of cash dividends paid, $2.4 billion of repayments of long-term debt, and $496 million of net repayments of short-term debt, partially offset by $4.0 billion of net proceeds from long-term debt.
+Added: Cash used in financing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2021 primarily reflected $6.9 billion of share repurchases, $3.5 billion of cash dividends paid, and $1.4 billion of repayments of long-term debt.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
−Removed: During the first three months of fiscal 2022, there were no changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K.
−Removed: Refer to Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding our significant accounting policies.
+Added: During the first six months of fiscal 2022, there were no changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K.
+Added: Refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding our significant accounting policies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1 unchanged sentence
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.