Big-box retailer Walmart (WMT 1.83%) reported its fiscal 2021 first quarter earnings (for the period ended May 1, 2020) before the market opened on Tuesday, and the results far exceeded even the most enthusiastic forecast. Consumers flocked to the retailer in droves during the pandemic, helping generate one of the retailer's best performances in recent memory across a variety of metrics.
Here are five of the biggest takeaways from Walmart's blowout fiscal 2021 first quarter.
Image source: Walmart.
1. Revenue growth soared
Walmart reported revenue of $134.6 billion, up 8.6% year over year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency headwinds, the results were even more impressive, growing to $135.9 billion, an increase of 9.7%. To put that into the perspective of Wall Street's expectations, analysts' consensus estimates were calling for revenue of just $130.31 billion.
The results were driven by strong demand for food, consumer staples, health and wellness products, and general merchandise.
2. Comparable-store-sales shine
Comparable-store-sales (excluding fuel) in the U.S. climbed 10% during the quarter, delivering its best performance in nearly 20 years. Customer buying behavior during the pandemic fueled the better-than-expected results.
It wasn't just Walmart that got a boost from pandemic-related shopping. Comp sales at Sam's Club increased 12%.
3. E-Commerce sales were the headliner
With the widespread stay-at-home orders, many customers turned to the company's website for essential purchases, and it showed in Walmart's robust online sales growth. E-commerce transactions at Walmart U.S. grew a whopping 74% year over year, reporting strong results from grocery pickup and delivery services. Sam's Club also saw an impressive increase in online traffic, with e-commerce sales climbing 40%.
Walmart also said that due to continued strong results from Walmart.com, it will discontinue using the Jet.com brand. Investors will recall that the purchase of the online competitor nearly four years ago helped to jump-start Walmart's e-commerce success.
Image source: Getty Images.
4. Incremental costs hit the bottom line
Walmart had additional expenditures that hit its bottom line results, as incremental costs associated with the pandemic ate into profits. The company reported that it spent an additional $900 million in COVID-19 related expenses, which included approximately $755 million in cash bonuses issued to its associates, as well as increased hourly pay of $2 per hour. The company said it's a "reasonable assumption" that it will spend a similar amount in the upcoming second quarter.
Just last week, Walmart and Sam's Club announced a second round of employee bonuses, with payouts of $300 for each full-time hourly associate and $150 for each part-timer. The price tag for the bonus payments is expected to come in at about $390 million.
Walmart delivered GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $1.40, while its adjusted EPS came in at $1.18. Analysts' consensus estimates were calling for adjusted EPS of $1.17.
5. A minor change to e-commerce calculations
Walmart announced that beginning with the just-reported first quarter, the company has revised the definition of what constitutes e-commerce net sales, which now includes certain pharmacy transactions. As a result, the company issued revised prior-period amounts for both Walmart and Sam's Club.
