Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, liquidity and capital resources during the three months ended May 5, 2023, and April 29, 2022. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2023 (the Annual Report), as well as the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) contained in this report. Unless otherwise specified, all comparisons made are to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2023, there is a one week shift as a result of the 53rd week in fiscal 2022. For the purposes of the following discussion, comparable sales, comparable customer transactions, and comparable average ticket are based upon the comparable 13-week period from fiscal 2022. This discussion and analysis is presented in four sections:

• Executive Overview

• Operations

• Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 declined 5.5% to $22.3 billion compared to net sales of $23.7 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Prior year sales included $1.2 billion generated by our Canadian retail business, which was sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 decreased 4.3%, consisting of a 4.0% decrease in comparable customer transactions and a comparable average ticket decline of 0.3%. Net earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were $2.3 billion, which represents a decrease of 3.1% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Diluted earnings per common share were $3.77 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $3.51 in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Included in the first quarter of 2023 results is a pre-tax income of $63 million associated with the fiscal 2022 sale of the Canadian retail business, which increased diluted earnings per share by $0.10. Excluding the impact of this item, adjusted diluted earnings per common share increased 4.6% to $3.67 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 (see the non-GAAP financial measures discussion).

For the first three months of fiscal 2023, cash flows from operating activities were approximately $2.1 billion, with $380 million used for capital expenditures. Continuing to deliver on our commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, we repurchased $2.1 billion of common stock and paid $633 million in dividends during the three months ended May 5, 2023.

The decline in first quarter fiscal 2023 comparable sales was 4.3%, driven by lumber commodity deflation, unfavorable weather, and macroeconomic uncertainty affecting Do-It-Yourself (DIY) consumer discretionary spending. Despite lumber deflation, we experienced slightly positive comparable sales growth with our Pro customers, which reflects the success of our MVPs Pro Rewards and Partnership ProgramTM initiatives. In addition, we continue to enhance our online shopping experience and fulfillment capabilities. Supported by these initiatives, we saw positive comparable growth online this quarter.

Our focus to gain efficiencies through continuous improvement is the foundation of our Perpetual Productivity Improvement (PPI) initiatives, which give us the agility to adapt and manage expenses through periods of unpredictable demand. One such effort underway is the modernization of our technology across our stores. This includes replacing our legacy self-checkout systems with our proprietary self-checkout registers.

We are continuing the roll-out of our supply chain market-based delivery model for big and bulky product with 12 geographic areas converted as of the end of the quarter. We expect all regions to be converted to the market-based delivery model by the end of fiscal 2023.

We view spring as a first half event, and we are prepared to re-engage our customers with spring projects as warmer weather arrives across the country. We believe our Total Home strategy has positioned us to grow market share and deliver sustainable shareholder value, while navigating near-term market uncertainty.

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OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to net sales of each line item of the consolidated statements of earnings (unaudited), as well as the percentage change in dollar amounts from the prior period. This table should be read in conjunction with the following discussion and analysis and the consolidated financial statements (unaudited), including the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

			Three Months Ended												Basis Point Increase/(Decrease) in Percentage of Net Sales from Prior Period						Percentage Increase/(Decrease) in Dollar Amounts from Prior Period
			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022						2023 vs. 2022						2023 vs. 2022
Net sales			100.00		%				100.00		%				N/A						(5.5)		%
Gross margin			33.68						34.03						(35)						(6.5)
Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			17.12						18.19						(107)						(11.1)
Depreciation and amortization			1.85						1.88						(3)						(6.8)
Operating income			14.71						13.96						75						(0.4)
Interest – net			1.56						1.03						53						43.2
Pre-tax earnings			13.15						12.93						22						(3.9)
Income tax provision			3.04						3.07						(3)						(6.5)
Net earnings			10.11		%				9.86		%				25						(3.1)		%

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The following table sets forth key metrics utilized by management in assessing business performance. This table should be read in conjunction with the following discussion and analysis and the consolidated financial statements (unaudited), including the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

			Three Months Ended
Other Metrics			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Comparable sales decrease 1			(4.3)		%				(4.0)		%
Total customer transactions (in millions)			214						226
Average ticket 2			$	104.44					$	104.52
At end of period:
Number of stores			1,738						1,971
Sales floor square feet (in millions)			195						208
Average store size selling square feet (in thousands) 3			112						106
Net earnings to average debt and shareholders’ deficit 4			24.2		%				30.8		%
Return on invested capital 4			28.0		%				33.8		%

1 A comparable location is defined as a retail location that has been open longer than 13 months. A location that is identified for relocation is no longer considered comparable in the month of its relocation. The relocated location must then remain open longer than 13 months to be considered comparable. A location we decide to close is no longer considered comparable as of the beginning of the month in which we announce its closing. Operating locations which are sold are included in comparable sales until the date of sale. Comparable sales are presented on a transacted basis when tender is accepted from a customer. Comparable sales include online sales, which impacted first quarter fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 comparable sales by approximately 60 basis points and -5 basis points, respectively. The comparable store sales calculation included in the preceding table was calculated using comparable 13-week periods.

2 Average ticket is defined as net sales divided by the total number of customer transactions.

3 Average store size selling square feet is defined as sales floor square feet divided by the number of stores open at the end of the period. The average Lowe’s-branded home improvement store has approximately 112,000 square feet of retail selling space.

4 Return on invested capital is calculated using a non-GAAP financial measure. Net earnings to average debt and shareholders’ deficit is the most comparable GAAP ratio. As of May 5, 2023, return on invested capital was negatively impacted 725 basis points as a result of the sale of the Canadian retail business. See below for additional information and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful insight for analysts and investors in evaluating what management considers the Company’s core operating performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of certain items, further described below, not contemplated in the Company’s business outlook for fiscal 2023. There were no non-GAAP adjustments to diluted earnings per share for the three months ended April 29, 2022.

Fiscal 2023 Impacts

*•*In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company recognized pre-tax income of $63 million consisting of a realized gain on the contingent consideration and estimated adjustments to the selling price associated with the fiscal 2022 sale of the Canadian retail business (Canadian retail business transaction).

Adjusted diluted earnings per share should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful indicator of, the Company’s diluted earnings per common share as prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s methods of determining non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the method used by other companies and may not be comparable.

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			Three Months Ended
			May 5, 2023
			Pre-Tax Earnings						Tax 1						Net Earnings
Diluted earnings per share, as reported															$	3.77
Non-GAAP adjustments – per share impacts
Canadian retail business transaction			(0.10)						—						(0.10)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share															$	3.67

1 Represents the corresponding tax benefit or expense specifically related to the item excluded from adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Return on Invested Capital

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is calculated using a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes ROIC is a meaningful metric for analysts and investors as a measure of how effectively the Company is using capital to generate financial returns. Although ROIC is a common financial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating ROIC. Accordingly, the method used by our management may differ from the methods used by other companies. We encourage you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate ROIC before comparing its ROIC to ours.

We define ROIC as the rolling 12 months’ lease adjusted net operating profit after tax (Lease adjusted NOPAT) divided by the average of current year and prior year ending debt and shareholders’ deficit. Lease adjusted NOPAT is a non-GAAP financial measure, and net earnings is considered to be the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The calculation of ROIC, together with a reconciliation of net earnings to Lease adjusted NOPAT, is as follows:

			For the Periods Ended
(In millions, except percentage data)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Calculation of Return on Invested Capital
Numerator
Net Earnings			$	6,364					$	8,453
Plus:
Interest expense – net			1,228						918
Operating lease interest			160						158
Provision for income taxes			2,553						2,780
Lease adjusted net operating profit			10,305						12,309
Less:
Income tax adjustment 1			2,950						3,046
Lease adjusted net operating profit after tax			$	7,355					$	9,263
Denominator
Average debt and shareholders’ deficit 2			$	26,269					$	27,442
Net earnings to average debt and shareholders’ deficit			24.2		%				30.8		%
Return on invested capital 3			28.0		%				33.8		%

1 Income tax adjustment is defined as lease adjusted net operating profit multiplied by the effective tax rate, which was 28.6% and 24.7% for the periods ended May 5, 2023, and April 29, 2022, respectively.

2 Average debt and shareholders’ deficit is defined as average current year and prior year ending debt, including current maturities, short-term borrowings, and operating lease liabilities, plus the average current year and prior year ending total shareholders’ deficit.

3 For the period ended May 5, 2023, return on invested capital was negatively impacted 725 basis points as a result of the sale of the Canadian retail business.

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Results of Operations

Net Sales – Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 decreased 5.5% to $22.3 billion. The decrease in total sales was primarily driven by the sale of the Canadian retail business in fiscal 2022, which generated $1.2 billion of net sales in the first quarter of 2022. This was partially offset by the timing shift in our fiscal calendar in which the first quarter of fiscal 2023 (a 52-week year) included one less week of winter and one more week of spring than fiscal 2022 (a 53-week year). The 53rd week shift contributed approximately $735 million to net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Comparable sales declined 4.3% over the same period, consisting of a 4.0% decrease in comparable customer transactions and a 0.3% decrease in comparable average ticket.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we experienced comparable sales increases in five of 14 product categories, led by Building Materials, Rough Plumbing, and Paint. Growth in these categories reflects broad-based strength with the Pro customer, demonstrating improvement from our investments in our Pro product and service offerings, including our enhanced assortment. Although our lowest comparable sales were in Lumber due to significant commodity deflation, the highest unit sales increases were also in this category, demonstrating the continued strength of the Pro customer.

Gross Margin – For the first quarter of fiscal 2023, gross margin decreased 35 basis points as a percentage of sales. The gross margin contraction for the quarter is driven by product rate pressure due primarily to lower product cost inflation in the current year and higher costs associated with the expansion of our supply chain network, partially offset by favorable product mix.

SG&A – For the first quarter of fiscal 2023, SG&A expense leveraged 107 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022. This includes the benefit of a one-time legal settlement, the gain on contingent consideration associated with the fiscal 2022 sale of the Canadian retail business, and our ongoing PPI initiatives to offset the pressures from lower sales and wage investments.

Depreciation and Amortization – Depreciation and amortization leveraged three basis points for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year.

Interest – Net – Interest expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 deleveraged 53 basis points as a percentage of sales, primarily due to interest expense related to the issuance of unsecured notes in September 2022 and March 2023, partially offset by increased interest income and scheduled payoff of notes at maturity.

Income Tax Provision – Our effective income tax rates were 23.1% and 23.7% for the three months ended May 5, 2023 and April 29, 2022, respectively.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources of Liquidity

Cash flows from operations, combined with our continued access to capital markets on both a short-term and long-term basis, as needed, remain adequate to fund our operations, make strategic investments to support long-term growth, and return excess cash to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. We believe these sources of liquidity will continue to support our business for the next twelve months. As of May 5, 2023, we held $3.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents, as well as $3.9 billion in undrawn capacity on our revolving credit facilities.

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

			Three Months Ended
(In millions)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	2,106					$	2,977

Cash flows from operating activities continued to provide the primary source of our liquidity. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended May 5, 2023, compared to the three months ended April 29, 2022, was driven primarily by timing of income tax payments, partially offset by changes in working capital. Other operating liabilities decreased operating cash flows by $1.4 billion during the first three months of fiscal 2023. This decrease is primarily driven by the payment of our third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 estimated federal tax payments that were deferred under the income tax relief announced by the Internal Revenue Service for businesses located in states impacted by Hurricane Ian. Inventory decreased operating cash flows by approximately $990 million, while accounts payable increased operating cash

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flows by $1.4 billion for the first three months of 2023. We typically build our inventory in anticipation for spring as we have historically recognized our highest volume sales during the second fiscal quarter.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

			Three Months Ended
(In millions)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Net cash used in investing activities			$	(304)					$	(310)

Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of transactions related to capital expenditures.

Capital expenditures

Our capital expenditures generally consist of investments in our strategic initiatives to enhance our ability to serve customers, improve existing stores, and support expansion plans. The following table provides our capital expenditures for the three months ended May 5, 2023, and April 29, 2022:

			Three Months Ended
(In millions)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Existing store investments 1			$	307					$	252
Strategic initiatives 2			67						46
New stores and corporate facilities 3			6						45
Total capital expenditures			$	380					$	343

1**Includes merchandising resets, facility repairs, replacements of IT and store equipment, among other specific efforts.

2**Represents investments related to our strategic focus areas aimed at improving customers’ experience and driving improved performance in the near and long term.

3**Represents expenditures primarily related to land purchases, buildings, and personal property for new store and corporate facilities projects.

For fiscal 2023, our guidance for capital expenditures is up to $2.0 billion.

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

			Three Months Ended
(In millions)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Net cash used in financing activities			$	(200)					$	(386)

Net cash used in financing activities primarily consists of transactions related to our long-term debt, share repurchases, and cash dividend payments.

Total Debt

During the three months ended May 5, 2023, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured notes, the proceeds of which were designated for general corporate purposes.

Our commercial paper program is supported by the 2020 Credit Agreement and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The amounts available to be drawn under the 2020 Credit Agreement and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is reduced by the amount of borrowings under our commercial paper program. Outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program were $72 million as of May 5, 2023. There were no outstanding borrowings under our 2020 Credit Agreement or the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of May 5, 2023. Total combined availability under the 2020 Credit Agreement and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of May 5, 2023 was $3.9 billion.

The 2020 Credit Agreement and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, and covenants. We were in compliance with those covenants at May 5, 2023.

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The following table includes additional information related to our debt for the three months ended May 5, 2023, and April 29, 2022:

			Three Months Ended
(In millions)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Net proceeds from issuance of debt			$	2,983					$	4,964
Repayment of debt			(22)						(773)
Net change in commercial paper			(427)						—
Maximum commercial paper outstanding at any period			2,195						1,361
Short-term borrowings outstanding at quarter-end			72						—
Weighted-average interest rate of short-term borrowings outstanding			5.75		%				—		%

Share Repurchases

We have an ongoing share repurchase program, authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, that is executed through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private off-market transactions. We also withhold shares from employees to satisfy tax withholding liabilities. Shares repurchased are retired and returned to authorized and unissued status. The following table provides, on a settlement date basis, the total number of shares repurchased, average price paid per share, and the total cash used to repurchase shares for the three months ended May 5, 2023, and April 29, 2022:

			Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share data)			May 5, 2023						April 29, 2022
Total amount paid for share repurchases			$	2,106					$	4,037
Total number of shares repurchased			10.5						18.7
Average price paid per share			$	201.41					$	215.32

As of May 5, 2023, we had $18.7 billion remaining available under our share repurchase program with no expiration date.

Dividends

Dividends are paid in the quarter immediately following the quarter in which they are declared. Dividends paid per share increased from $0.80 per share for the three months ended April 29, 2022, to $1.05 per share for the three months ended May 5, 2023.

Capital Resources

We expect to continue to have access to the capital markets on both a short-term and long-term basis when needed for liquidity purposes by issuing commercial paper or new long-term debt. The availability and the borrowing costs of these funds could be adversely affected, however, by a downgrade of our debt ratings or a deterioration of certain financial ratios. The table below reflects our debt ratings by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s as of June 1, 2023, which we are disclosing to enhance understanding of our sources of liquidity and the effect of our ratings on our cost of funds. Our debt ratings have enabled, and should continue to enable, us to refinance our debt as it becomes due at favorable rates in capital markets. Our commercial paper and senior debt ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

Debt Ratings			S&P			Moody’s
Commercial Paper			A-2			P-2
Senior Debt			BBB+			Baa1
Senior Debt Outlook			Stable			Stable

There are no provisions in any agreements that would require early cash settlement of existing debt or leases as a result of a downgrade in our debt rating or a decrease in our stock price.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in the Annual Report. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report. Our significant and critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed significantly since the filing of the Annual Report.