Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended OctoberApril 29, 20172018
- 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
thdpms5prcntrulemediuma02.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 Number)
   
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)
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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes x 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 x
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
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 x
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.
1,167,748,6191,153,543,611 shares of common stock, $0.05 par value, as of November 14, 2017May 15, 2018
 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


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


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Table of Contents

COMMONLY USED OR DEFINED TERMS
Term Definition
ASRAccelerated share repurchase
ASUAccounting Standards Update
Comparable sales
18 section of MD&A
Exchange Act Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board
fiscal 2017 Fiscal year ended January 28, 2018 (includes 52 weeks)
fiscal 2018Fiscal year ending February 3, 2019 (includes 53 weeks)
GAAP U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
InterlineInterline Brands, Inc.
MD&AManagement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
NOPATNet operating profit after tax
PLCCPrivate label credit card
Restoration PlanHome Depot FutureBuilder Restoration Plan
ROICReturn on invested capital
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
Securities ActSecurities Act of 1933, as amended
SG&ASelling, general, and administrative
Tax Act2017 tax reform, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
2017 Form 10-KAnnual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 22, 2018 for fiscal 2017


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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; issues related to the payment methods we accept; state of the economy; state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; demand for credit offerings; inventory and in-stock positions; management of relationships with our 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; 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 or are 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.I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements.
THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
amounts in millions, except per share dataOctober 29,
2017
 January 29,
2017
ASSETS   
Current Assets:   
Cash and Cash Equivalents$3,549
 $2,538
Receivables, net2,166
 2,029
Merchandise Inventories13,419
 12,549
Other Current Assets548
 608
Total Current Assets19,682
 17,724
Property and Equipment, at cost41,614
 40,426
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization19,654
 18,512
Net Property and Equipment21,960
 21,914
Goodwill2,217
 2,093
Other Assets1,164
 1,235
Total Assets$45,023
 $42,966
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current Liabilities:   
Short-Term Debt$125
 $710
Accounts Payable8,570
 7,000
Accrued Salaries and Related Expenses1,488
 1,484
Sales Taxes Payable629
 508
Deferred Revenue1,788
 1,669
Income Taxes Payable139
 25
Current Installments of Long-Term Debt1,198
 542
Other Accrued Expenses2,065
 2,195
Total Current Liabilities16,002
 14,133
Long-Term Debt, excluding current installments24,266
 22,349
Other Long-Term Liabilities1,968
 1,855
Deferred Income Taxes244
 296
Total Liabilities42,480
 38,633

   
Common Stock, par value $0.05; authorized: 10,000 shares; issued: 1,779 shares at October 29, 2017 and 1,776 shares at January 29, 2017; outstanding: 1,168 shares at October 29, 2017 and 1,203 shares at January 29, 201789
 88
Paid-In Capital9,883
 9,787
Retained Earnings39,193
 35,519
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(629) (867)
Treasury Stock, at cost, 611 shares at October 29, 2017 and 573 shares at January 29, 2017(45,993) (40,194)
Total Stockholders’ Equity2,543
 4,333
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity$45,023
 $42,966
in millions, except per share dataApril 29,
2018
 January 28,
2018
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$3,599
 $3,595
Receivables, net2,296
 1,952
Merchandise inventories14,432
 12,748
Other current assets887
 638
Total current assets21,214
 18,933
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $19,668 at April 29, 2018 and $19,339 at January 28, 201821,928
 22,075
Goodwill2,281
 2,275
Other assets1,227
 1,246
Total assets$46,650
 $44,529
    
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Short-term debt$350
 $1,559
Accounts payable9,726
 7,244
Accrued salaries and related expenses1,413
 1,640
Sales taxes payable730
 520
Deferred revenue1,911
 1,805
Current installments of long-term debt1,199
 1,202
Other accrued expenses2,804
 2,224
Total current liabilities18,133
 16,194
Long-term debt, excluding current installments24,244
 24,267
Other long-term liabilities2,586
 2,614
Total liabilities44,963
 43,075
    
Common stock, par value $0.05; authorized: 10,000 shares; issued: 1,781 shares at April 29, 2018 and 1,780 shares at January 28, 2018; outstanding: 1,154 shares at April 29, 2018 and 1,158 shares at January 28, 201889
 89
Paid-in capital10,017
 10,192
Retained earnings41,221
 39,935
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(596) (566)
Treasury stock, at cost, 627 shares at April 29, 2018 and 622 shares at January 28, 2018(49,044) (48,196)
Total stockholders’ equity1,687
 1,454
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$46,650
 $44,529
See accompanying Notesnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

consolidated financial statements.


THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
amounts in millions, except per share dataOctober 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
 October 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
NET SALES$25,026
 $23,154
 $77,021
 $72,388
Cost of Sales16,378
 15,112
 50,758
 47,628
GROSS PROFIT8,648
 8,042
 26,263
 24,760
        
Operating Expenses:       
Selling, General and Administrative4,514
 4,280
 13,424
 12,949
Depreciation and Amortization454
 442
 1,347
 1,311
Total Operating Expenses4,968
 4,722
 14,771
 14,260
        
OPERATING INCOME3,680
 3,320
 11,492
 10,500
        
Interest and Other (Income) Expense:       
Interest and Investment Income(22) (10) (51) (25)
Interest Expense269
 246
 788
 726
Interest and Other, net247
 236
 737
 701
        
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR
INCOME TAXES
3,433
 3,084
 10,755
 9,799
Provision for Income Taxes1,268
 1,115
 3,904
 3,586
NET EARNINGS$2,165
 $1,969
 $6,851
 $6,213
        
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares1,168
 1,224
 1,184
 1,236
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE$1.85
 $1.61
 $5.79
 $5.03
        
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares1,174
 1,229
 1,190
 1,242
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE$1.84
 $1.60
 $5.76
 $5.00
        
Dividends Declared per Share$0.89
 $0.69
 $2.67
 $2.07
 Three Months Ended
in millions, except per share dataApril 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Net sales$24,947
 $23,887
Cost of sales16,330
 15,733
Gross profit8,617
 8,154
Operating expenses:   
Selling, general and administrative4,779
 4,361
Depreciation and amortization457
 444
Total operating expenses5,236
 4,805
Operating income3,381
 3,349
Interest and other (income) expense:   
Interest and investment income(22) (13)
Interest expense261
 254
Interest and other, net239
 241
Earnings before provision for income taxes3,142
 3,108
Provision for income taxes738
 1,094
Net earnings$2,404
 $2,014
    
Basic weighted average common shares1,152
 1,198
Basic earnings per share$2.09
 $1.68
    
Diluted weighted average common shares1,158
 1,204
Diluted earnings per share$2.08
 $1.67
    
Dividends declared per share$1.03
 $0.89
See accompanying Notesnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements.


THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
amounts in millionsOctober 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
 October 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
NET EARNINGS$2,165
 $1,969
 $6,851
 $6,213
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):       
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments(145) (125) 244
 (8)
Cash Flow Hedges, net of tax(2) 21
 (5) 23
Other
 (1) (1) 
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(147) (105) 238
 15
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME$2,018
 $1,864
 $7,089
 $6,228
 Three Months Ended
in millionsApril 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Net earnings$2,404
 $2,014
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Foreign currency translation adjustments(76) (30)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax28
 (25)
Other18
 (1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)(30) (56)
Comprehensive income$2,374
 $1,958
See accompanying Notesnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements.


THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended
amounts in millionsOctober 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net Earnings$6,851
 $6,213
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:   
Depreciation and Amortization1,533
 1,474
Stock-Based Compensation Expense214
 199
Changes in Assets and Liabilities, net of acquisition effects:   
Receivables, net(95) (108)
Merchandise Inventories(776) (1,453)
Other Current Assets75
 36
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses1,597
 1,449
Deferred Revenue115
 64
Income Taxes Payable113
 184
Deferred Income Taxes(76) (131)
Other, net190
 (8)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities9,741
 7,919
    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Capital Expenditures(1,354) (1,145)
Payments for Business Acquired, net(260) 
Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment38
 30
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities(1,576) (1,115)
    
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Repayments of Short-Term Debt, net(585) (350)
Proceeds from Long-Term Debt, net of discounts2,991
 4,959
Repayments of Long-Term Debt(534) (3,034)
Repurchases of Common Stock(6,067) (4,535)
Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock157
 136
Cash Dividends Paid to Stockholders(3,174) (2,567)
Other Financing Activities(41) (33)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities(7,253) (5,424)
    
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents912
 1,380
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents99
 (7)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period2,538
 2,216
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$3,549
 $3,589
 Three Months Ended
in millionsApril 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:   
Net earnings$2,404
 $2,014
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization532
 505
Stock-based compensation expense84
 81
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition effects:   
Receivables, net(319) (145)
Merchandise inventories(1,687) (1,051)
Other current assets(250) 51
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses2,532
 2,062
Income taxes payable547
 877
Deferred revenue208
 166
Deferred income taxes(9) (65)
Other(61) 69
Net cash provided by operating activities3,981
 4,564
    
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:   
Capital expenditures(556) (458)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment8
 13
Net cash used in investing activities(548) (445)
    
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:   
Repayments of short-term debt, net(1,209) (710)
Repayments of long-term debt(10) (11)
Repurchases of common stock(1,121) (1,289)
Proceeds from sales of common stock14
 31
Cash dividends(1,189) (1,069)
Other financing activities115
 (33)
Net cash used in financing activities(3,400) (3,081)
Change in cash and cash equivalents33
 1,038
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(29) (11)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period3,595
 2,538
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$3,599
 $3,565
    
Supplemental Disclosures:   
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized$339
 $321
Cash paid for income taxes119
 135
See accompanying Notesnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements.


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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


1.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements of The Home Depot, Inc. and Subsidiariesits subsidiaries (the "Company""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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")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 Statementsconsolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report onour 2017 Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2017 (the "2016 Form 10-K").
Valuation Reserves
As of October 29, 2017 and January 29, 2017, the valuation allowances for Merchandise Inventories and uncollectible Receivables were not material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements10-K.
There have beenwere no materialsignificant changes to the Company’s position regarding recentour significant accounting pronouncements pending adoptionpolicies as disclosed in the 20162017 Form 10-K, except as set forth below.
Net Sales
We recognize revenue, net of expected returns and sales tax, at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise, or when a service is performed. The liability for sales returns, including the impact to gross profit, is estimated based on historical return levels, and recognized at the transaction price. We also recognize a return asset, and corresponding adjustment to cost of sales, for our right to recover the goods returned by the customer, measured at the former carrying amount of the goods, less any expected recovery cost. At each financial reporting date, we assess our estimates of expected returns, refund liabilities, and return assets.
Net sales include services revenue generated through a variety of installation, home maintenance, and professional service programs. In August 2017,these programs, the Financialcustomer selects and purchases material for a project, and we provide or arrange for professional installation. These programs are offered through our stores and in-home sales programs. Under certain programs, when we provide or arrange for the installation of a project and the subcontractor provides material as part of the installation, both the material and labor are included in services revenue. We recognize this revenue when the service for the customer is complete, which is not materially different from recognizing the revenue over the service period as the substantial majority of our services are completed within one week.
For merchandise sold in one of our stores or online, tender is accepted at the point of sale. For services, we generally accept tender upon completion of the job. When we receive payment from customers before the customer has taken possession of the merchandise or the service has been performed, the amount received is recorded as deferred revenue until the sale or service is complete. Such performance obligations are part of contracts with expected original durations of three months or less. We further record deferred revenue for the sale of gift cards and recognize the associated revenue upon the redemption of those gift cards in net sales. Gift card breakage income (estimated non-redeemed gift card balance) is recognized in proportion to the redemption pattern of rights exercised by the customer. For merchandise sold to customers to whom we directly extend credit, collection of tender is typically expected within three months or less from the time of purchase. We also have agreements with third-party service providers who directly extend credit to customers and manage our PLCC program. The deferred interest charges we incur for our deferred financing programs offered to our customers, interchange fees charged to us for our customers’ use of the cards, and any profit sharing with the third-party service providers are included in net sales.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the actual cost of merchandise sold and services performed; the cost of transportation of merchandise from vendors to our distribution network, stores, or customers; shipping and handling costs from our stores or distribution network to customers; and the operating cost and depreciation of our sourcing and distribution network and online fulfillment centers.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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. Pronouncements
ASU No. 2017-12 eliminates the concept of recognizing periodic hedge ineffectiveness for cash flow and net investment hedges and allows the entity to apply the shortcut method to partial-term fair value hedges of interest rate risk. ASU No. 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2017-12 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
2014-09.In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under ASU No. 2014-09, "RevenueRevenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method).On January 29, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09 is effectiveusing the modified retrospective transition method.

In preparation for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.
The Company continuesimplementation of the standard, we concluded on key accounting assessments and then implemented internal controls and updated processes to evaluateappropriately recognize and present the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will haveassociated financial information. Based on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures and controls. The Company hasthese efforts, we determined that the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 will impactchanges the Company’s methodpresentation of recognizing(i) certain expenses and cost reimbursements associated with our PLCC program (now recognized in net sales), (ii) certain expenses related to the sale of gift cards to customers (now recognized in operating expense), and (iii) gift card breakage income which is currently(now recognized based upon historical redemption patterns. ASU No. 2014-09 requiresin net sales). We also have changed our recognition of gift card breakage income to be recognized in proportionproportionately as redemption occurs, rather than based on historical redemption patterns.
In addition, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 requires that we recognize our sales return allowance on a gross basis rather than as a net liability. As such, we now recognize (i) a return asset for the right to recover the pattern of rights exercisedgoods returned by the customer, whenmeasured at the Company expectsformer carrying amount of the goods, less any expected recovery costs (recorded as an increase to other current assets) and (ii) a return liability for the amount of expected returns (recorded as an increase to other accrued expenses and a decrease to receivables, net).
We applied ASU No. 2014-09 only to contracts that were not completed prior to fiscal 2018. The cumulative effect of initially applying ASU No. 2014-09 was a $75 million increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 29, 2018. The comparative prior period information continues to be entitledreported under the accounting standards in effect during those periods. We expect the impact of the adoption to breakage. Other areas which could be impacted may be identified asimmaterial to our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on an ongoing basis.
The effect of the Company continues its evaluationadoption of ASU No. 2014-09. The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 on our consolidated balance sheet as of April 29, 2018, follows.
in millionsAs Reported 
ASU No. 2014-09
Effect (1)
 Excluding
ASU No. 2014-09 Effect
Receivables, net$2,296
 $(46) $2,342
Other current assets887
 269
 618
Other accrued expenses2,804
 223
 2,581
—————
(1) Does not include the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU No. 2014-09 to our consolidated balance sheet as adjusted as of January 29, 2018.
The effect of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 on our consolidated statement of earnings for the three months ended April 29, 2018 follows.
in millionsAs Reported 
ASU No. 2014-09
Effect
 
Excluding
ASU No. 2014-09 Effect
Net sales$24,947
 $33
 $24,914
Cost of sales16,330
 (98) 16,428
Gross profit8,617
 131
 8,486
Selling, general and administrative4,779
 131
 4,648
ASU No. 2016-16.In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. An entity will continue to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of inventory when the inventory is sold to a third party.
On January 29, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2016-16 using the modified retrospective method.transition method with no impact on 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements pending adoption not discussed above or in the 20162017 Form 10-K are either not applicable or will not have or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company.us.

2.RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTSNET SALES
On January 30, 2017,No sales to an individual customer or country other than the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting". Upon adoptionU.S. accounted for more than 10% of this update, all excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to share-based payment awards are recognized in the Provision for Income Taxes in the period in which they occur. Previously these amounts were reflected in Paid-In Capital. In addition, upon adoption these amounts are classified as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the period in which they occur. Previously, these

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

amounts were reflected as a financing activity. Cash paid by the Company to tax authorities when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Stock-Based Compensation Expense will continue to reflect estimated forfeitures of share-based awards. The Company has adopted the applicable provisions of ASU No. 2016-09 prospectively.
As a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, the Company recognized $7 million and $92 million of excess tax benefits related to share-based payment awards in its Provision for Income Taxesnet sales during the thirdfirst quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, respectively. The recognition of these benefits contributed $0.01 and $0.08 to Diluted Earnings per Share2018. Net sales, classified by geography, for the third quarterthree months ended April 29, 2018 follow.
in millions 
Net sales – in the U.S.$23,043
Net sales – outside the U.S.1,904
Net sales$24,947
Net sales by products and first nineservices for the three months of fiscal 2017, respectively.ended April 29, 2018 follow.
in millions 
Net sales – products$23,735
Net sales – services1,212
Net sales$24,947
Major product lines, as well as the associated merchandising departments (and related services) for the three months ended April 29, 2018 follow.
Major Product LineMerchandising Departments
Building MaterialsBuilding Materials, Electrical, Lighting, Lumber, Millwork, and Plumbing
DécorAppliances, Décor, Flooring, Kitchen and Bath, and Paint
HardlinesHardware, Indoor Garden, Outdoor Garden, and Tools
Net sales by major product lines for the three months ended April 29, 2018 follow.
in millions 
Building Materials$9,326
Hardlines8,415
Décor7,206
Net sales$24,947
3.LONG-TERM DEBTINCOME TAXES
In SeptemberOn December 22, 2017, the CompanySEC issued $1.0 billionStaff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") to address the application of 2.80% senior notes due September 14, 2027 (the "2027 notes") atGAAP in situations when a discountregistrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of $3 million. Interest on the 2027 notesTax Act. For the three months ended April 29, 2018, our accounting for the Tax Act is due semi-annually on March 14incomplete. As disclosed in our 2017 Form 10-K, however, we were able to reasonably estimate certain effects and, September 14 of each year, beginning March 14, 2018. The $3 million discounttherefore, recorded provisional adjustments associated with the 2027 notes is being amortized overdeemed repatriation transition tax and remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities. We have not made any measurement-period adjustments related to these items during the termfirst quarter of fiscal 2018 because we have not finalized the following items: the earnings and profits of the notes usingrelevant subsidiaries, deemed repatriation of deferred foreign income, and prior year deferred tax activity. We are continuing to gather additional information to complete our accounting for these items and expect to complete our accounting within the effective interest rate method. Issuance costsone-year time period provided by SAB 118. Any adjustment to these amounts during the measurement period will be recorded in income tax expense in the period in which the analysis is complete.
The Tax Act also creates a new requirement that certain income (i.e., global intangible low-taxed income or "GILTI") earned by controlled foreign corporations ("CFCs") must be included currently in the gross income of $6 million associated with the 2027 notes were recorded as a direct deductionCFCs’ U.S. shareholder. Due to the carrying valuecomplexity of the senior notesnew GILTI tax rules, we are not yet able to reasonably estimate the long-term effects of this provision. Therefore, we have not recorded any potential deferred tax effects related to GILTI in our consolidated financial statements and are being amortized overhave not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI or use the termperiod cost method. We have, however, included an estimate of the notes. The net proceeds of the 2027 notes were used to repay the Company's floatingcurrent GILTI impact in our annual effective tax rate notes due September 15, 2017 and for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of the Company's common stock.fiscal 2018.
In June 2017, the Company issued $500 million of floating rate senior notes due June 5, 2020 (the "2020 floating rate notes"); $750 million of 1.80% senior notes due June 5, 2020 (the "2020 notes") at a discount of $1 million; and $750 million of 3.90% senior notes due June 15, 2047 (the "2047 notes") at a discount of $5 million (together, the "June 2017 issuance"). The 2020 floating rate notes bear interest at a variable rate determined quarterly equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 15 basis points. Interest on the 2020 floating rate notes is due quarterly on March 5, June 5, September 5, and December 5 of each year, beginning September 5, 2017. Interest on the 2020 notes is due semi-annually on June 5 and December 5 of each year, beginning December 5, 2017. Interest on the 2047 notes is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2017. Interest payments for the 2020 notes and 2047 notes will include accrued interest from and including June 5, 2017. The $6 million discount associated with the 2020 notes and the 2047 notes is being amortized over the term of the notes using the effective interest rate method. Issuance costs of $12 million associated with the June 2017 issuance were recorded as a direct deduction to the carrying value of the senior notes and are being amortized over the term of the notes. The net proceeds of the June 2017 issuance were used for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of the Company's common stock.
All of the Company's senior notes, other than its outstanding floating rate notes, may be redeemed by the Company 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 occurs, as defined in the notes, holders of all notes have the right to require the Company to redeem those notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest up to the redemption date. The Company is generally not limited under the indentures governing the notes in its 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 the Company's liquidity or capital resources.
Also in September 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $250 million, accounted for as a fair value hedge, to hedge against changes in the fair value of the 2027 notes attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate.

4.ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTSSTOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Company enters into Accelerated Share Repurchase ("ASR")Agreements
We enter into ASR agreements from time to time with third-party financial institutions to repurchase shares of the Company’sour common stock. Under an ASR agreement,These agreements are structured as outlined in the Company pays a specified amount to the financial institution and receives an initial delivery of shares. This initial delivery of shares represents the minimum number of shares that the Company may receive under the agreement. Upon settlement2017 Form 10-K. The terms of the ASR agreement the financial institution delivers additional shares, with the final number of shares delivered determined with reference to the volume weighted average price per share of the Company’s common stock over the term of the ASR agreement, less a negotiated discount. The transactions are accounted for as equity transactions and are included in Treasury Stock when the

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

shares are received, at which time there is an immediate reduction in the weighted average common shares calculation for Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share.
The following table provides the terms for each of the ASR agreements the Company entered into during the first ninethree months of fiscal 2017. Each of these agreements followed the structure outlined above (amounts in2018 follow (in millions):
.
Agreement Date Settlement Date Agreement Amount Initial Shares Delivered Additional Shares Delivered Total Shares Delivered
Q2 2017 Q2 2017 $1,650
 9.7 1.1 10.8
Q3 2017(1)
 Q4 2017 $1,200
 6.7 0.7 7.4
Agreement
Date
 
Settlement
Date
 
Agreement
Amount
 
Initial
Shares Delivered
 
Additional
Shares Delivered
 
Total
Shares Delivered
Q1 2018 (1)
 
Q2 2018 (2)
 $750 3.4 0.8 4.2
—————
(1)The fair market value of the initial 6.73.4 million shares on the date of delivery was $1,053$598 million and is included in Treasury Stock in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheetstreasury stock as of OctoberApril 29, 2017. The2018, with the remaining $147$152 million is included in Paid-In Capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 29, 2017. paid-in capital.
(2)The ASR agreement terminated on NovemberMay 17, 2017,2018, at which time the Companywe became contractually entitled to receive an additional 0.70.8 million shares upon settlement.
See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in the 2017 Form 10-K for further discussion.
5.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The carrying amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Receivables and Accounts Payable as reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value dueof an asset is considered to their short-term maturities.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 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
The following table presents the assetsAssets and liabilities if any, of the Company that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
basis follow.

Fair Value at October 29, 2017 Using Fair Value at January 29, 2017 UsingFair Value at April 29, 2018 Using Fair Value at January 28, 2018 Using
amounts 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)
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$
 $189
 $
 $
 $271
 $
$

 $200
 $

 $

 $235
 $

Derivative agreements - liabilities
 (9) 
 
 
 

 (29) 
 
 (12) 
Total$
 $180
 $
 $
 $271
 $
$

 $171
 $

 $

 $223
 $

The Company usesWe use derivative financial instruments from time to time in the management of itsour interest rate exposure on certain Long-Term Debtlong-term debt and itsour exposure toon 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 were analyzed for impairment on a nonrecurring basis using fair value measurements with unobservable inputs (level 3). Impairment charges related to long-lived assets in the first nine months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 were not material.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company completed its annual assessment of the recoverability of Goodwill for its U.S., Canada and Mexico reporting units. The Company performed qualitative assessments, concluding that the fair value of the reporting units was not more likely than not less than the carrying value. Accordingly, no Goodwill impairments were recorded for these reporting units.
The aggregate fair values and carrying values of the Company'sour senior notes were as follows:follow.
 October 29, 2017 January 29, 2017
amounts in millions 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
Senior notes$26,650
 $24,482
 $23,620
 $22,013

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 April 29, 2018 January 28, 2018
in millions 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
(Level 1)
 
Carrying
Value
Senior notes$25,545
 $24,469
 $26,617
 $24,485

6.BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
The following table presents the reconciliation of our basic to diluted weighted average common shares as well as the effectfollows.
 Three Months Ended
in millionsApril 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Basic weighted average common shares1,152
 1,198
Effect of potentially dilutive securities6
 6
Diluted weighted average common shares1,158
 1,204
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted weighted average common shares (1)

1
—————
(1) Represent options that were granted under our employee stock plans to purchase shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted weighted averageour common shares:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
amounts in millionsOctober 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
 October 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares1,168
 1,224
 1,184
 1,236
Effect of potentially dilutive securities6
 5
 6
 6
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares1,174
 1,229
 1,190
 1,242
        
Effect of anti-dilutive securities excluded from Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares
 1
 1
 1
stock.
7.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Data Breach
As previously reported,We are involved in litigation arising in the third quarternormal course of fiscal 2014, the Company confirmed that its payment data systems were breached, which potentially impacted customers who used payment cards at self-checkout systems in the Company’s U.S. and Canadian stores (the "Data Breach"). Since the end of fiscal 2016, there have been no material changes with respectbusiness. In management’s opinion, any such litigation is not expected to the Data Breach, except as discussed below.
As reported in the 2016 Form 10-K, in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company agreed to settlement terms that, upon approval of the court, will resolve and dismiss the claims asserted in the financial institutions class actions. In addition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the parties to the purported shareholder derivative actions agreed to settlement terms that, upon approval of the court, will resolve and dismiss the claims asserted in those actions. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, both of these settlement agreements were approved by the court.
As of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company has resolved the most significant claims relating to the Data Breach, and there were no material changes during the first nine months of fiscal 2017 to the Company’s loss contingency assessment relating to any remaining matters. The Company does not believe that the ultimate amounts paid with respect to any remaining matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’sour consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods.flows.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TheTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders
The Home Depot, Inc.:
Results of Review of Interim Financial Information
We have reviewed the Consolidated Balance Sheet of The Home Depot, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of OctoberApril 29, 2017,2018, the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, and Comprehensive Income, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended October 29, 2017 and October 30, 2016, and the related Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine-monththree-month periods ended OctoberApril 29, 2018 and April 30, 2017, and October 30, 2016. Thesethe 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 Statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.Information for it to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We conducted our reviewshave 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 January 28, 2018, 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 22, 2018, 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 January 28, 2018, 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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),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.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Consolidated Balance Sheet of The Home Depot, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of January 29, 2017, 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 23, 2017, 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 January 29, 2017, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the Consolidated Balance Sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
November 20, 2017May 21, 2018


Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Our MD&A includes the following sections:
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSExecutive Summary
Certain statements contained herein regardingHighlights of our futurefinancial performance constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined infor 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 store sales; effects of competition; state of the economy; state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; demand for credit offerings; inventory and in-stock positions; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; management of relationships with our suppliers and vendors; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation, including those related to the Data Breach we discovered in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2014; issues related to2018 follow.
dollars in millions, except per share dataThree Months Ended
April 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Net sales$24,947
 $23,887
Net earnings2,404
 2,014
Effective tax rate23.5% 35.2%
    
Diluted earnings per share$2.08
 $1.67
    
Net cash provided by operating activities$3,981
 $4,564
Repurchases of common stock1,121
 1,289
We reported net sales of $24.9 billion in the payment methods we accept; 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 effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; 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 or are 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. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
Net Sales increased 8.1% to $25.0 billion for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 from $23.22018. Net earnings were $2.4 billion, for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Net Sales increased 6.4% to $77.0 billion from $72.4 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Our total comparable store sales increased 7.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017, driven by a 5.1% increase in our comparable store average ticket and a 2.7% increase in our comparable store customer transactions. Comparable store sales for our U.S. stores increased 7.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, our total comparable store sales increased 6.6% and comparable store sales for our U.S. stores increased 6.8%.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we reported Net Earnings of $2.2 billion and Diluted Earningsor $2.08 per Share of $1.84 compared to Net Earnings of $2.0 billion and Diluted Earnings per Share of $1.60 for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, we reported Net Earnings of $6.9 billion and Diluted Earnings per Share of $5.76 compared to Net Earnings of $6.2 billion and Diluted Earnings per Share of $5.00 for the first nine months of fiscal 2016.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, three hurricanes impacted our operations in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane-related sales positively impacted total sales growth by approximately $282 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The gross margin on these hurricane-related sales was considerably less than the Company average. We also incurred approximately $104 million of hurricane-related expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. As a result of the hurricanes, operating profit was negatively impacted by approximately $51 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.diluted share.
We opened one new store in Mexicothe U.S. during the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017,2018, for a total store count of 2,2832,285 at the end of the quarter. As of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2017,April 29, 2018, a total of 303304 of our stores, or 13.3%, were located in Canada and Mexico. Total sales per square foot forwere $412.03 in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 were $412.49, up 7.9% from last year. For the first nine months of 2017, total sales per square foot were $423.60, up 6.1% from last year. Our2018, and our inventory turnover ratio was 5.24.9 times at the end of the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 5.0 times at2018.
During the end of the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016.

In the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, we continued to focus on the following:
Customer Experience – Customer experience is anchored on the principles of putting customers first and taking care of our associates, and our commitment to customer service remains strong. In the first nine months of fiscal 2017, we continued to invest in our digital platforms, including content, website improvements, and the mobile experience, to provide a frictionless interconnected experience online, while also remaining focused on improving the interconnected experience in the store. Sales from our online channels increased 18.6% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the same period last year, and represented 6.2% of our total Net Sales. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, sales from our online channels increased 21.6% compared to the same period last year, and represented 6.4% of our total Net Sales. We also continued to focus on being a valued partner to our professional customers by offering solutions in the store and at the jobsite that help them effectively manage their businesses.
Product Authority – Product authority is facilitated by our merchandising transformation and portfolio strategy, which is focused on delivering product innovation, assortment and value. We strive to be the leader in product authority, connecting products and services to the needs of our customers. In the first nine months of fiscal 2017, our merchants continued to collaborate with our suppliers to introduce a wide range of innovative new products to our do-it-yourself, do-it-for-me and professional customers, while remaining focused on offering everyday values in our stores and online.
Productivity and Efficiency Driven by Capital Allocation – We drive productivity and efficiency through continuous operational improvement in our stores and supply chain. Further, our disciplined capital allocation builds shareholder value through higher returns on invested capital and total value returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. We plan to continue to innovate our business model and value chain to support our productivity cycle and enhance overall value for customers throughout the year.
In February 2017, our Board of Directors increased our targeted dividend payout ratio to 55% of Diluted Earnings per Share. Also in February 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a new $15.0 billion share repurchase program that replaced the previous authorization. Under the program,2018, we repurchased a total of 12.34.7 million shares of our common stock for $2.1$1.0 billion through an ASR agreement and the open market during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. During the first nine months of fiscal 2017,transactions. In February 2018, we repurchased 38.0 million shares ofannounced a 15.7% increase in our common stock for $5.9 billion through ASR agreements and the open market.quarterly cash dividend to $1.03 per share.
We generated $9.7$4.0 billion of cash flow from operations in the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2017.2018. This cash flow along with $3.0was used to pay $1.2 billion of long-term debt issued in the first nine monthsdividends, repay $1.2 billion of fiscal 2017, was used toshort-term borrowings, fund cash payments of $6.1$1.1 billion for share repurchases, pay $3.2 billion of dividends,and fund $1.4 billion$556 million in capital expenditures, repay $585 million of short-term debt, and repay $500 million of floating rate senior notes that matured on September 15, 2017.expenditures.
Our return on invested capital ("ROIC")ROIC was 32.5%36.0% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 29.1%2018. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below for the third quarterour definition and calculation of fiscal 2016. We define ROIC, as net operating profit after tax ("NOPAT"),well as a reconciliation of NOPAT, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the most recent twelve-month period, divided by the average of beginning and ending long-term debt, including current installments, and equity for the most recent twelve-month period. For a reconciliation of NOPAT to Net Earnings,net earnings, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, and our calculation of ROIC, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.measure.

Results of Operations
The tables and discussion below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and in our MD&A included in our 2017 Form 10-K. We believe the percentage relationship between Net Salesnet sales and the major categories in the Consolidated Statementsour consolidated statements of Earnings andearnings, as well as the percentage change in the associated dollar amounts, of each of these items as well as the selected sales data presented below are important in evaluating the performancerelevant to an evaluation of our business operations.business.
 % of Net Sales % Increase (Decrease)
in Dollar Amounts
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
 October 29, 2017 October 30, 2016 October 29, 2017 October 30, 2016 Three Months 
Nine
Months
NET SALES100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 8.1% 6.4%
GROSS PROFIT34.6
 34.7
 34.1
 34.2
 7.5
 6.1
Operating Expenses:    

 

    
Selling, General and Administrative18.0
 18.5
 17.4
 17.9
 5.5
 3.7
Depreciation and Amortization1.8
 1.9
 1.7
 1.8
 2.7
 2.7
Total Operating Expenses19.9
 20.4
 19.2
 19.7
 5.2
 3.6
            
OPERATING INCOME14.7
 14.3
 14.9
 14.5
 10.8
 9.4
Interest and Other (Income) Expense:           
Interest and Investment Income(0.1) 
 (0.1) 
 N/M
 N/M
Interest Expense1.1
 1.1
 1.0
 1.0
 9.3
 8.5
Interest and Other, net1.0
 1.0
 1.0
 1.0
 4.7
 5.1
            
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION
  FOR INCOME TAXES
13.7
 13.3
 14.0
 13.5
 11.3
 9.8
Provision for Income Taxes5.1
 4.8
 5.1
 5.0
 13.7
 8.9
NET EARNINGS8.7 % 8.5 % 8.9 % 8.6 % 10.0% 10.3%
            
SELECTED SALES DATA (1)
           
Number of Customer Transactions (millions)389.5
 380.0
 1,212.0
 1,184.8
 2.5% 2.3%
Average Ticket (actual)$62.84
 $59.78
 $62.78
 $60.26
 5.1% 4.2%
Sales per Square Foot (actual)$412.49
 $382.18
 $423.60
 $399.12
 7.9% 6.1%
Comparable Store Sales Increase (%) (2)
7.9 % 5.5 % 6.6 % 5.5 % N/A
 N/A
Online Sales (% of Net Sales) (3)
6.2 % 5.6 % 6.4 % 5.6 % 18.6% 21.6%
 Three Months Ended
 
April 29,
2018
 
April 30,
2017
dollars in millions$ 
% of
Net Sales
 $ % of
Net Sales
Net sales$24,947
   $23,887
  
Gross profit8,617
 34.5 % 8,154
 34.1 %
Operating expenses:       
Selling, general and administrative4,779
 19.2
 4,361
 18.3
Depreciation and amortization457
 1.8
 444
 1.9
Total operating expenses5,236
 21.0
 4,805
 20.1
Operating Income3,381
 13.6
 3,349
 14.0
Interest and other (income) expense:       
Interest and investment income(22) (0.1) (13) (0.1)
Interest expense261
 1.0
 254
 1.1
Interest and other, net239
 1.0
 241
 1.0
Earnings before provision for income taxes3,142
 12.6
 3,108
 13.0
Provision for income taxes738
 3.0
 1,094
 4.6
Net earnings$2,404
 9.6 % $2,014
 8.4 %
—————
Note: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.
 Three Months Ended  
Selected financial and sales data:April 29, 2018 April 30, 2017 % Change
Comparable sales (% change) (1)
4.2%
 5.5%
 N/A
Comparable customer transactions (% change) (2)
(1.5)%
 1.5%
 N/A
Comparable average ticket (% change) (2)
5.8%
 3.9%
 N/A
Customer transactions (in millions) (2)
375.9
 380.8
 (1.3)%
Average ticket (2)
$66.02
 $62.39
 5.8%
Sales per square foot (2)
$412.03
 $394.17
 4.5%
Diluted earnings per share$2.08
 $1.67
 24.6%
—————
(1)Selected Sales DataThe calculation for the three months ended April 30, 2017 does not include results for Interline, Brands, Inc., which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.year ended January 31, 2016.
(2)
Includes sales at locations open greater than 12 months, including relocated and remodeled stores and online sales, and excluding closed stores. Retail stores become comparable on the Monday following their 365th day of operation. Comparable store sales is intended only as supplemental information and isDoes not a substituteinclude results for Net Sales or Net Earnings presented in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Consists of sales generated online through our websites for products picked up in stores or delivered to customer locations.Interline.
N/M – Not MeaningfulFirst Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2017
N/A – Not ApplicableSales. We assess our sales performance by evaluating both net sales and comparable sales.



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Sales. Net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 increased 8.1%4.4% to $25.0$24.9 billion from $23.2$23.9 billion for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017 Net Sales increased 6.4% to $77.0 billion from $72.4 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2016.. The increase in Net Sales fornet sales in the thirdfirst quarter and first nine months of fiscal 20172018 primarily reflectsreflected the impact of positive comparable store sales driven by increased customer transactions anda 5.8% increase in comparable average ticket growth. Hurricane-relatedand a benefit of $33 million resulting from the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, partially offset by a decline in customer transactions. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Comparable Sales. Comparable sales positively impacted totalis a measure that highlights the performance of our existing locations and websites by measuring the change in sales growth by approximately $282 millionfor 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 after we own them for greater than 52 weeks (with the exception of Interline, which is excluded from comparable sales for periods prior to 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 4.2% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017. We expect continued hurricane recovery-related2018. The increase in comparable sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.
Total comparable store sales increased 7.9% and 6.6% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, respectively, which reflects a number of factors, including the execution of our strategy and broad-based growth across our stores.stores and online. Online sales, which consist of sales generated online through our websites for products picked up in our stores or delivered to customer locations, represented 7.6% of net sales and grew 20.2% during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. All of our departments, except onefor three, posted positive comparable store sales forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017. During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, all of our departments posted positive comparable store sales except for one, which was flat.2018. Comparable store sales for our Lumber, Appliances, Electrical, Indoor Garden,Lumber, Décor, Tools, Plumbing, Flooring, Millwork, Building Materials, Kitchen and Flooring product categoriesBath, Paint, and Hardware merchandising departments were above or at the Company average forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017. Further,2018. Comparable sales in our Indoor and Outdoor Garden merchandising departments were negatively impacted by extreme winter weather in the quarter, while comparable storesales for Lighting were lower due to LED price deflation. Our comparable average ticket increased 5.1% and 4.2% for5.8% during the thirdfirst quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, respectively,2018, due in part to strong sales in big ticket purchases in certain merchandising departments, such as appliances and flooring. Our comparable store customer transactionsAppliances.
Gross Profit.Gross profit increased 2.7% and 2.3% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, respectively.
Gross Profit increased 7.5%5.7% to $8.6 billion forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 from $8.0$8.2 billion forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017,2017. Gross Profit increased 6.1% to $26.3 billion from $24.8 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Gross Profitprofit as a percent of Net Sales,net sales, or gross profit margin, was 34.6%34.5% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 compared to 34.7%34.1% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017. The increase in gross profit margin was 34.1% compared to 34.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Gross profit margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 reflects pressure from product mix changes and higher supply chain expense driven by hurricane-related sales. Gross profit margin for the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2017 reflects2018 primarily reflected $131 million of benefit from the impactadoption of ASU 2014-09, expansion due to changes in product mix, changes and higher shrink,the benefit of recent acquisitions, partially offset by benefits fromhigher shrink and higher transportation costs in our supply chain.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses are composed of SG&A and depreciation and amortization.
Selling, General and& Administrative (". SG&A")&A increased 5.5%9.6% to $4.5$4.8 billion forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 from $4.3$4.4 billion forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017 SG&A increased 3.7% to $13.4 billion from $12.9 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. SG&A includes approximately $104 million of hurricane-related expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017.. As a percent of Net Sales,net sales, SG&A was 18.0%19.2% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 compared to 18.5%18.3% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, SG&A as a percent of Net Sales was 17.4% compared to 17.9% for the first nine months of fiscal 2016.2017. The decreaseincrease in SG&A as a percent of Net Salesnet sales for the thirdfirst quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017 reflects2018 reflected an increase of $131 million from the adoption of ASU 2014-09, and incremental investments made in the business, partially offset by expense leverage resulting from the positive comparable store sales environment and continued expense control.
Depreciation and Amortization.Depreciation and amortization increased 2.7%2.9% to $454$457 million forin the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2018 from $444 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percent of net sales to 1.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from 1.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 from $442 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Depreciation and Amortization was $1.3 billion for the first nine months of both fiscal 2017 and 2016. Depreciation and Amortization as a percent of Net Sales was 1.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 1.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Depreciation and Amortization as a percent of Net Sales was 1.7% compared to 1.8% for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Depreciation and Amortization as a percent of Net Sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017 reflectsreflected expense leverage resulting from the positive comparable store sales environment.
Operating Income increased 10.8% to $3.7 billion forInterest and Other, net.Interest and other, net, was $239 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 from $3.3 billion for2018 compared to $241 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017 Operating Income increased 9.4% to $11.5 billion from $10.5 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. As a result of the hurricanes, Operating Income was negatively impacted by approximately $51 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017. Operating Income as a percent of Net Sales was 14.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 14.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Operating Income as a percent of Net Sales was 14.9% compared to 14.5% for the first nine months of fiscal 2016.
. Interest and Other, net, was $247 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $236 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Interest and Other, net, was $737 million compared to $701 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Interest and Other,other, net, as a percent of Net Salesnet sales was 1.0% for the thirdfirst quarter and first nine months of both fiscal 20172018 and 2016.2017 and primarily reflected higher interest expense resulting from higher short-term and long-term debt balances, partially offset by higher interest income.
Provision for Income Taxes.Our combined effective income tax rate was 36.3%23.5% for the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 20172018 compared to 36.6%35.2% for the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2016.2017. The effectivedecrease in the provision for income tax ratetaxes in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was primarily attributable to the enactment of the Tax Act.
Diluted Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share were $2.08 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $1.67 for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 reflects a $92 million benefit to our Provision for Income Taxes for share-based payment awards as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09.


Diluted Earnings per Share were $1.84 for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $1.602017. Diluted earnings per share for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. For2018 reflected a benefit of $0.32 per diluted share resulting from the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Diluted Earnings per Share were $5.76 compared to $5.00 for the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Diluted Earnings per Share for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017 included benefits of $0.01 and $0.08, respectively, as a resultenactment of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09.

Tax Act.
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
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 the average of beginning and ending long-term debt (including current installments) and equity for the most recent twelve-month period.

The following table provides ourcalculation of ROIC, calculation and reconcilestogether with a reconciliation of NOPAT to Net Earnings:net earnings (the most comparable GAAP measure), follows.
  Twelve Months Ended
dollars in millions April 29,
2018
 April 30,
2017
Net earnings $9,020
 $8,168
Interest and other, net 981
 940
Provision for income taxes 4,712
 4,591
Operating income 14,713
 13,699
Income tax adjustment (1)
 (4,988) (4,936)
NOPAT $9,725
 $8,763
     
Average debt and equity $27,014
 $27,091
     
ROIC 36.0% 32.3%
  For the Twelve Months Ended
dollar amounts in millions October 29,
2017
 October 30,
2016
Net Earnings $8,595
 $7,684
Add:    
Interest and Other, net 972
 937
Provision for Income Taxes 4,852
 4,428
Operating Income 14,419
 13,049
Subtract:    
Income Tax Adjustment (1)
 5,234
 4,771
Net Operating Profit After Tax $9,185
 $8,278
     
Average Debt and Equity (2)
 $28,255
 $28,441
     
Return on Invested Capital (3)
 32.5% 29.1%
—————
(1)Income Tax Adjustmenttax adjustment is defined as Operating Incomeoperating income multiplied by the Company'sour effective tax rate.
(2)Average Debt and Equity is defined as the average of beginning and ending long-term debt, including current installments, and equity for the most recent twelve-month period.
(3)ROIC is calculated as NOPAT divided by Average Debt and Equity.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCESAdditional Information
Cash flow generated from operations provides us with a significant source of liquidity. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $9.7 billion compared to $7.9 billion for the same period of fiscal 2016. This increase primarily reflects a $677 million increase in operating cash flows from the effective management and procurement of Merchandise Inventories and a $638 million increase in Net Earnings resulting from higher sales and expense leverage.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was $1.6 billion compared to $1.1 billion for the same period of fiscal 2016. This change was primarily due to $260 million in Payments for Business Acquired, net, related to the acquisition of Compact Power Equipment, Inc. and a $209 million increase in Capital Expenditures.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was $7.3 billion compared to $5.4 billion for the same period of fiscal 2016. This change was primarily due to $1.5 billion more in Repurchases of Common Stock, $607 million more in Cash Dividends Paid to Stockholders and $235 million more in Repayments of Short-Term Debt, partially offset by $532 million more in net incremental long-term debt issued in the first nine months of fiscal 2017 compared to the same period of fiscal 2016.
In September 2017, we issued the 2027 notes at a discount of $3 million. The net proceeds of the 2027 notes were used to repay our floating rate notes due September 15, 2017 and for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of shares of our common stock. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.

Also in September 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $250 million, accounted for as a fair value hedge, to hedge against changes in the fair value of the 2027 notes attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate.
In June 2017, we issued the 2020 floating rate notes; the 2020 notes at a discount of $1 million; and the 2047 notes at a discount of $5 million. The net proceeds of the June 2017 issuance were used for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of shares of our common stock. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we entered into an ASR agreement under which we paid $1.65 billion to a third party financial institution and received a total of 10.8 million shares. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we entered into an ASR agreement under which we paid $1.2 billion to a third party financial institution and received an initial delivery of 6.7 million shares. The ASR agreement terminatedinformation on November 17, 2017, at which time the Company became contractually entitled to receive an additional 0.7 million shares upon settlement. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
Weaccounting pronouncements that have commercial paper programs that allow for borrowings up to $2.0 billion. In connection with these programs, we have a back-up credit facility with a consortium of banks for borrowings up to $2.0 billion. The credit facility expires in December 2019 and contains various customary covenants. At October 29, 2017, we were in compliance with all of the covenants, and noneimpacted or are expected to materially impact our liquidityconsolidated financial condition, results of operations, or capital resources. During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, all ofcash flows, see Note 1 to our short-term borrowings were under these commercial paper programs,consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity and the maximum amount outstanding at any time during the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was $1.0 billion. As of October 29, 2017, there were $125 million of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper programs.Capital Resources
As of October 29, 2017, we had $3.5 billion in Cash and Cash Equivalents.Equivalents
At April 29, 2018, we had $3.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $3.2 billion was held by our foreign subsidiaries. We believe that our current cash position, access to the long-term debt capital markets, and cash flow generated from operations 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 have funds available from our commercial paper programs and the ability to obtain alternative sources of financing.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTSAs we accelerate our investments in the business within our disciplined approach to capital allocation, we expect capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 billion in fiscal 2018.
ForDebt and Derivatives
We have commercial paper programs that allow for borrowings up to $3.0 billion. All of our short-term borrowings in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were under these commercial paper programs, and the maximum amount outstanding at any time during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $2.4 billion. In connection with these programs, we have back-up credit facilities with a summaryconsortium of recently issued accounting pronouncements which may be applicablebanks for borrowings up to $3.0 billion. Our back-up credit facilities 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 2018. At April 29, 2018, 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 April 29, 2018, there were $350 million of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper programs. We also issue senior notes from time to time.
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 5 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Share Repurchases
In December 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a new $15.0 billion share repurchase program that replaced the previous authorization. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we repurchased 4.7 million shares of our common stock for $1.0 billion through an ASR agreement and open market transactions. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the ASR agreement.

Cash Flows Summary
Operating Activities. Cash flow generated from operations provides us see Note 1with 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.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $583 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the Consolidated Financial Statements includedsame period last year and primarily reflected increased merchandise inventory purchases, offset by an increase in this report.net earnings, excluding changes in working capital and non-cash items from operations. The increase in net earnings resulted from higher comparable sales and expense leverage in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, as well as a lower effective income tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 resulting from the enacting of the Tax Act.
For a summaryCash 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 recently adopted accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 tocash receipts and payments, vendor payment terms, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities primarily reflected capital expenditures for investments in our business of $556 million in the Consolidated Financial Statements includedfirst quarter of fiscal 2018 and $458 million in this report.the first quarter of fiscal 2017.
Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities primarily reflected:
$1.2 billion of repayments of short-term borrowings; $1.2 billion of cash dividends paid; and $1.1 billion of share repurchases in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and
$1.3 billion of share repurchases; $1.1 billion of cash dividends paid; and $710 million of repayments of short-term borrowings in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. There were no changes during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in the 2017 Form 10-K.
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 our 2016the 2017 Form 10-K.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures.
Under the direction and with the participation of the Company'sour Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Companywe evaluated itsour disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)Act) and concluded that itsour disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of OctoberApril 29, 2017.2018. There has been no change in the Company'sour internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended OctoberApril 29, 2017,2018, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company'sour internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings.
Except as set forth below, there were no material changes during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 to our disclosure in Item 3 of our 2016 Form 10-K.
For a description of the matters related to the Data Breach, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1, "Financial Statements", which description is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A.Risk Factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q,report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our 2016the 2017 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 immaterialmaterial to our business. There have been no material changes in the risk factors discussed in our 2016the 2017 Form 10-K.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(a) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
1.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company issued 535 deferred stock units under The Home Depot, Inc. Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Stock Compensation Plan pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 third quarter of fiscal 2017. 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.
2.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company credited 1,188 deferred stock units to participant accounts under The Home Depot FutureBuilder 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 the termination of service as described in this plan.
(b) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
InSince the inception of our initial share repurchase program in fiscal 2002 through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 billion share repurchase program. Through the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company has2018, we have repurchased shares of itsour common stock having a value of approximately $5.9 billion under this program.$76.1 billion. The number and average price of shares purchased in each fiscal month of the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2018 follow.2017 are set forth in the table below:
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)
January 29, 2018 – February 25, 2018168,708
 $186.49
 149,500
 $12,917,104,510
February 26, 2018 – March 25, 2018 (3)
4,805,927
 178.55
 4,581,219
 11,945,001,414
March 26, 2018 – April 29, 2018447
 183.71
 
 11,945,001,414
Total4,975,082
 178.82
 4,730,719
  
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)
July 31, 2017 – August 27, 2017 4,007,643
 $151.26
 3,975,984
 $10,507,805,292
August 28, 2017 – September 24, 2017(3)
 8,368,921
 $156.65
 8,349,174
 $9,052,805,480
September 25, 2017 – October 29, 2017 3,214
 $163.99
 
 $9,052,805,480
  12,379,778
 $154.91
 12,325,158
  
—————
(1) These amounts include repurchases pursuant to the Company's 1997 andour Amended and Restated 2005 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plans (thePlan 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 the first quarter of fiscalDecember 2017, theour 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.
(3) In the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company2018, we paid $1.2 billion$750 million under an ASR agreement and received an initial delivery of 6.73.4 million shares. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we issued 569 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 ASR agreement terminateddeferred 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 first quarter of fiscal 2018. The deferred stock units convert to shares of common stock on November 17, 2017, at which timea one-for-one basis following a termination of service as described in this plan.
During the Company becamefirst quarter of fiscal 2018, we credited 1,209 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.

contractually entitledItem 6. Exhibits.
Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are incorporated by reference to receive an additional 0.7 million shares upon settlement. See Note 4 toexhibits or appendices previously filed with the Consolidated Financial Statements includedSEC, as indicated by the references in this report.
Item 6.Exhibits
brackets. All other exhibits are filed or furnished herewith.
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.ExhibitDescription
*3.1
*
[Form 10-Q filed on September 1, 2011, Exhibit 3.1]
*3.2
*
[Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2016, Exhibit 3.2]
12.1
15.1 
15.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2 
32.2
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101101.SCH
The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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)
  
THE HOME DEPOT, INC.By: 
/s/ CRAIG A. MENEAR
 (Registrant)
Craig A. Menear, Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
  
By:
/s/ CRAIG A. MENEAR
Craig A. Menear
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
PresidentCAROL B. TOMÉ

  
/s/ CAROL B. TOMÉ
Carol B. Tomé
, Chief Financial Officer,
and
Executive Vice President – Corporate Services

 
Date:
November 20, 2017
(Date)May 21, 2018


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