Leading Health and Cancer Advocacy Groups Unite to Reduce Racial Disparities in Cancer Care

February 23, 2021

NCCN Logo (C)NCCN(R) 2018. All rights reserved.

NCCN, ACS CAN, and NMQF present new polling data showing patient, caregiver and provider views of bias and suggest policy and practice changes to improve equity in access to high quality cancer care.

WASHINGTON and PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) presented new ideas for overcoming inequality in oncology. The recommendations—developed by a group of 17 national experts, representing patients and advocates, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry—directly address how medical systems in the United States often disproportionately fail minority patients, particularly those who are Black and/or Indigenous, and draws on extensive polling data from a recent poll fielded by Public Opinion Strategies on behalf of the organizations to make clear the case for urgent action.

Among the notable survey findings: 63% of African American and 67% of Latinx patients, survivors, and caregivers said they had a negative experience with their oncology care team, such as having assumptions made about them or their financial situation, or trouble getting questions answered; in contrast to 43% of white respondents who reported such experiences. As for oncologists, 2/3 of those surveyed believed that non-white patients experienced worse outcomes from cancer care but only 1/3 felt those patient populations were receiving worse care or poorer communication during care.

“The research shows disparities in outcomes that aren’t based on biology; they result from systemic inequality and bias in access and care delivery,” said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. “Racism exists in the United States and impacts everyone, including the medical community. One proven method for improving equity is using guideline-concordant care. We’re grateful to be able to learn from experts about what we can do right now to make sure everyone is getting the best evidence-based care possible; the process has been both humbling and inspiring. Now we’re committed to working together to make these recommendations a reality.”

“Communities of color and other medically underserved groups continue to have higher cancer rates and are less likely to be diagnosed early or receive optimal treatment compared to other groups,” said Lisa Lacasse, President of ACS CAN. “Ensuring quality clinical practices are in place and applied equitably to all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or geographic location is essential to reducing those disparities. We cannot achieve our mission of a world without cancer until we lessen the burden of this disease across all communities; these recommendations provide important means to achieve that goal.”

“We can improve cancer outcomes for communities of color and rural areas by closing gaps in screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, both in clinical practice and in policy,” said Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, NMQF President and CEO. “NMQF is pleased to collaborate with NCCN and ACS CAN to develop evidence-based recommendations using real-world data that allow us to design a system that delivers high-quality cancer care to all of America’s diverse populations.”

To address the inequalities in access to cancer care, the three organizations convened the Elevating Cancer Equity Working Group, co-chaired by Shonta Chambers, MSW, EVP Health Equity Initiatives and Community Engagement, Patient Advocate Foundation, and Robert Winn, MD, Director, VCU Massey Cancer Center. Workgroup recommendations include a new Equity Report Card to help providers, payers, and accreditation entities advance equitable care delivery. The report card includes 17 measurable practice changes, such as having health systems provide and require annual implicit bias training for all employees, offer culturally and linguistically representative patient navigators or community health workers through internal hiring or contracting with community-based organizations, and offer flexible hours for screening and treatment appointments. The full list of practice recommendations are broken down into the following categories:

Community Engagement
Accessibility of Care and Social Determinants of Health
Addressing Bias in Care Delivery
Quality and Comprehensiveness of Care

The recommendations will be explained in greater detail during a keynote address at the NCCN Virtual 2021 Annual Conference online on March 19.

The organizations also created a series of policy change recommendations targeted toward:

The United States Congress
CMS and Commercial Payers
Federal Agencies
State and Local Policymakers

Policy examples include measures to remove barriers to clinical trial participation and requiring the Food and Drug Administration to consider clinical trial diversity as part of a drug approval process, providing resources to historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions with the goal of fostering a more diverse health care workforce, funding public awareness campaigns around cancer prevention that are linguistically and culturally reflective of diverse audiences, and ensuring access to and reimbursement for patient navigators to assist patients with all kinds of insurance.

The groups plan a series of ongoing engagements for providers, patients and lawmakers as a means to advance this work and improve patient care. A deeper analysis of the Public Opinion Strategies data— which was captured in two surveys, one geared toward patients, survivors, and family caregivers with an oversampling to assure minority representation, and another of oncologists— will be addressed in a future, peer-reviewed article.

To learn more about the working group and next steps, visit NCCN.org/policy. Join the conversation online with the hashtag #ElevatingCancerEquity.

About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives. Visit NCCN.org for more information on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) and other initiatives. Follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg, Instagram @NCCNorg and Twitter @NCCN.

About the National Minority Quality Forum
The National Minority Quality Forum assists health care providers, professionals, administrators, researchers, policymakers, and community and faith-based organizations in delivering appropriate health care to minority communities. This assistance is based on providing the evidence in the form of science, research, and analysis that will lead to the effective organization and management of system resources to improve the quality and safety of health care for the entire population of the U.S., including minorities. For more information, please visit www.nmqf.org.

Media Contacts:
ACS CAN: Allison Miller, [email protected], 202-585-3241
NCCN: Rachel Darwin, [email protected], 267-622-6624
NMQF: Kelly Ann Collins, [email protected], 202-413-1187

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SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Blue Shield of California Is Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for Fifth Consecutive Year

February 23, 2021

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California has once again been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standard of ethical business practices. It is the fifth consecutive year the nonprofit health plan has received this designation. In 2021, Ethisphere recognized 135 honorees spanning 22 countries and 47 industries.

“We are delighted to receive this distinction for a ninth time. This recognition is a testament to the fact that even during a time of extended and unprecedented stress, when character matters most, ethical behavior and personal integrity are part of our D.N.A. at Blue Shield of California,” said Hope Scott, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer. “We promote ethical leadership and a commitment to compliance with the spirit and the letter of the law, ensuring that our more than 7,000 employees understand and live our values every day and are empowered to do the right thing.”

Blue Shield’s employees played a leading role in responding to major health and social issues in 2020. It also elected its first woman to chair the board of directors and achieved gender balance on the board.

Regarding the pandemic, Blue Shield leaders volunteered to help the state of California stand up a statewide testing infrastructure for Covid-19, supported its members and providers with financial assistance and is now supporting efforts to distribute the vaccine.

The company has also been actively supporting social justice issues and advocating for health policy initiatives that help all Californians.

Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment considers more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives to support a strong value chain.

“While addressing the tough challenges of 2020, we saw companies lead – above all other institutions – on earning the trust of stakeholders through resilience and a commitment to ethics and integrity,” said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. “Congratulations to everyone at Blue Shield of California for earning the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation.”

The full list of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found here.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with over 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT:	Mark Seelig
	Blue Shield of California
	510-607-2359
	[email protected]

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California

Use the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Heart-Healthy Food Choices

February 23, 2021

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Did you know that February is American Heart Month? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s updated Nutrition Facts label is a tool that can help you make heart-healthy food choices.

Servings Per Container shows the total number of servings in the entire food package or container. It is common for one package of food to contain more than one serving.
Serving Size is based on the amount of food that is customarily eaten at one time and is not a recommendation of how much to eat.
Calories refers to the total number of calories in a serving of the food.
% Daily Value (%DV) shows how much of a nutrient in a serving of the food contributes to a total daily diet.
Nutrients: the Nutrition Facts label can help you learn about, compare, and monitor the nutrients in many foods in your diet.

Nutrients to get less of: saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Nutrients to get more of: dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Here’s how you can use the Nutrition Facts label to help you make healthy food choices, and reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease:

Check the serving size and the number of servings you eat or drink to determine how much of a nutrient you are consuming.
Know your calorie needs. 2,000 calories a day is used as a general guide for nutrition advice. Learn your number at https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan.
Use %DV to determine if a serving of the food is high or low in an individual nutrient and to compare food products (remember to make sure the serving size is the same). As a general guide:

5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered low.
20% DV or more of a nutrient per serving is considered high.

Limit sodium in your diet to less than 2,300 mg per day.
Limit saturated fat in your diet to less than 10% of calories per day (e.g. 20 grams per day based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet).
Limit calories from added sugars to less than 10% of total calories per day (e.g. 200 calories or 50 grams per day of added sugars based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet).
Consume a diet rich in dietary fiber and vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, by choosing a variety of foods that are good sources of these nutrients since many people do not get the recommended amounts.

Visit the Nutrition Facts label Online for an interactive way to learn about the label: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/InteractiveNutritionFactsLabel/

For more information on how to use the Nutrition Facts label to make informed food choices, visit www.fda.gov/nutritioneducation

Contact: Media: 1-301-796-4540 Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll-free)

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SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(Español) American Family Insurance destina $105 millones para ayudar a cerrar brechas de equidad bajo la iniciativa “Free To Dream”

February 23, 2021

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Businesses and Consumers Who Bought an Interior Molded Door Between March 1, 2014 and September 4, 2020, Could Receive $25 or More From a Class Action Settlement Totaling $19.5 Million

February 23, 2021

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following notice is being jointly issued by Robins Kaplan LLP, Gustafson Gluek PLLC, and Joseph Saveri Law Firm and has been authorized by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, in In re: Interior Molded Doors Indirect Purchaser Antitrust Litigation (No. 3:18-cv-00850-JAG).

The lawsuit, In re: Interior Molded Doors Indirect Purchaser Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:18-cv-00850-JAG, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claims that JELD-WEN, Inc. and Masonite Corporation (“Settling Defendants”) agreed to fix the prices of Interior Molded Doors (“IMDs”) and, as a result, consumers and businesses who indirectly purchased Standalone IMDs not for resale may have paid more than they should have. Although the Settling Defendants have agreed to settle, they do not agree that they engaged in any wrongdoing or are liable or owe any money or benefits to Plaintiffs. The Court has not decided who is right.

Who is Included?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you indirectly purchased not for resale a Standalone IMD between March 1, 2014 and September 4, 2020. Purchases must have been made in, or while you were residing in an Indirect Purchaser State at the time of purchase. “Indirectly” means you bought the Standalone IMD from someone other than one of the Settling Defendants (e.g., you purchased a Standalone IMD at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or a lumber yard).

IMDs are a type of interior door made through a process of sandwiching a wood frame and hollow or solid core between two molded doorskins, rather than making the entire door from solid wood. A “Standalone Interior Molded Door” is an IMD that is not incorporated as part of a larger product (such as the purchase of a home) or service (such as the installation of the door in a home). For example, you are included if you are (a) a consumer who purchased an IMD for home installation OR (b) a business or commercial contractor that purchased an IMD to be included as a service provided to a customer or for its own use. Standalone IMDs contain patterns and do not include flush doors which have no patterns or relief.

The definitions of IMDs, Standalone IMDs, and the list of Indirect Purchaser States, among others, are available by visiting the Settlement Website www.InteriorMoldedDoorSettlement.com.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

The Settlement provides for a total Settlement Fund of $19,500,000 (“Settlement Fund”). After deduction of notice and administration expenses, attorneys’ fees, service awards to the Class Representatives, and litigation expenses, as approved by the Court (“Net Settlement Fund”), the Net Settlement Fund will be available for distribution to Settlement Class Members who timely file valid claims. It is estimated that each member of the Settlement Class who submits a valid claim will receive at least $25. Payments will be based on a number of factors, including at least the number of valid claims filed by all Settlement Class Members and the number of Standalone IMDs purchased by each Settlement Class Member.

What are My Rights and Options?

Submit a Claim: To receive a Settlement payment, you must submit a claim by going to www.InteriorMoldedDoorSettlement.com and submitting (or printing and mailing) a Claim Form. A valid Claim Form must be submitted online or postmarked by June 25, 2021.

Do Nothing: You will be included in the Settlement Class and bound by the Court’s decision, but you will not receive a payment. You will give up your rights to sue the Settling Defendants about the claims in this case.

Exclude Yourself: You can exclude yourself (“opt out”) of the Settlement by submitting an exclusion request to the Settlement Administrator that is received no later than June 2, 2021. If you do so, you will not be eligible to receive a settlement payment but you will retain the right to sue on your own regarding any claims that are part of the Settlement.

Object: You may also object to any part of this Settlement. Objections must be mailed to the Clerk of the Court and the Settlement Administrator and received no later than June 2, 2021.

Details about how to opt-out, object, and mail your Claim Form are available on the Settlement Website.

Has the Court Approved the Settlement?

No, the Court has set a hearing for July 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. to determine whether to approve the Settlement, Class Representative service awards not to exceed $56,000 total, attorney’s expenses not to exceed $5 million, and attorneys’ fees not to exceed 33% of the Settlement Fund. If there are objections or comments, the Court will consider them at that time. You or your lawyer may appear at the hearing at your expense. The hearing may be moved to a different date or time without additional notice. Check the Settlement Website or call 1-844-964-2884 for current information.

How Can I Get More Information?

This Notice summarizes the Settlement Agreement. You can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement, important Court documents, and more information about the settlement on www.InteriorMoldedDoorSettlement.com.

The parties’ class certification briefs and expert reports are currently under seal pending an appeal. These documents can be obtained by Settlement Class Members by contacting Settlement Class Counsel or the Settlement Administrator. The Protective Order is available on the Settlement Website. If and when these documents are unsealed, they will promptly be posted online on the Settlement Website.

You may write with questions to [email protected] or call the toll-free number, 1-844-964-2884. You should also register on the website to be directly notified of the terms of the Plan of Allocation of the Settlement Fund, how to file a claim form, and other information concerning this case.

SOURCE Robins Kaplan LLP, Gustafson Gluek PLLC, and Joseph Saveri Law Firm

Martin Alfredo Garache’s new book Amándote a la Distancia, is an enrapturing collection of poems that share an unbreakable love amid separation and loneliness

February 23, 2021

SAN PABLO, Calif., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book Amándote a la Distancia was created by Martin Alfredo Garache. Martin is an author who was born in Managua, Nicaragua. His poetic spirit reappeared when he wrote to his partner due to a forced separation.

Garache said this about his book: “This work is a fragment of the love story of a Nicaraguan couple, whose happiness was affected by the effects of the fratricidal war that brought so much pain to that town in the ’80s and that, sadly, like thousands of families more, they were forced to separate.

As a result of the well-known political situation in that country at that time, it was not possible for him to leave, given his status as a military officer. But she did manage to emigrate to the United States to reside there. To overcome the distance, they wrote and sent correspondence every Friday. She knew how to keep jealously and with tender love letters, postcards, and other writings that she regularly received, noting that his writing was somewhat poetic. She said what she said with the flavor of poetry.

The separation reached the age of twelve, after which fate allowed them to be united again and it was when by mutual agreement they extracted the poetic portions that each letter had and thus gave birth to this book, as a testimony that it is possible to remain lovers, keep love alive in time and love at a distance.”

Published by Page Publishing, Martin Alfredo Garache’s new book Amándote a la Distancia fills the readers with feelings of compassion, yearning, and hope in life as they delve into heartfelt poems that emanate grace and wisdom in life.

Consumers who wish to immerse themselves in a journey of poignant love can purchase Amándote a la Distancia online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

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SOURCE Page Publishing

Laura Lavayen’s new book El Precio del Odio, a gripping fiction about a woman’s harrowing journey through abuse and bigotry that impacted her life

February 23, 2021

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book El Precio del Odio was created by Laura Lavayen. Laura is an author who was born in Bariloche, Argentina. She then moved to Buenos Aires where she lived until she came to the United States where she still lives.

Lavayen said this about his book: “El Precio del Odio is a book that shows a lot about current life—three generations of women whose history makes us think that although women have gained rights such as voting and studying and going out to work on the streets to support their family, even so they must sometimes put up with a husband or a man who is physically stronger that she manages to dominate her in different ways. In this fiction, the grandmother, who had a domineering father who did not allow her to study because she was a woman, forced her daughter to do so but at a school that was very expensive. Far from her neighborhood where she is, she did not want to go because she did not separate from her friends. Her discontent made Angela reveal herself and when her mother bought her a dress to celebrate her sixteenth birthday, Angela left the house. She came back married later and had a month-old baby. One day she disappeared, she didn’t come back for a long time. It was never known what she did the whole time she was away. She had lost her memory and couldn’t say when or how.

This novel deals with many issues of now and others of always—the actual situation, drugs, the freedom to own a gun, attacks on schools. Everything causes a situation that has everyone worried. And we wonder what else awaits us in the future. Will we learn to act like human and civilized beings or will we continue to act like beings without feelings?”

Published by Page Publishing, Laura Lavayen’s new book El Precio del Odio unveils the prevailing prejudice against gender, status, and race that usurps the heart and mind of those affected by such.

Consumers who wish to immerse in a woman’s emotionally driven tale of pain, loss, and a search for personal redemption can purchase El Precio del Odio online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

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SOURCE Page Publishing

The Home Depot Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2020 Results; Increases Quarterly Dividend by 10 Percent

February 23, 2021

ATLANTA, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported fourth quarter and fiscal 2020 results.

Fourth Quarter 2020

Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 were $32.3 billion, an increase of $6.5 billion, or 25.1 percent from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 increased 24.5 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. increased 25.0 percent.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 were $2.9 billion, or $2.65 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.5 billion, or $2.28 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2019. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, diluted earnings per share increased 16.2 percent from the same period in the prior year. Net earnings for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year were negatively impacted by non-recurring, pre-tax expenses related to the completion of the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc. on December 24, 2020, which totaled approximately $110 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.

Fiscal 2020

Sales for fiscal 2020 were $132.1 billion, an increase of $21.9 billion, or 19.9 percent, from fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for fiscal 2020 increased 19.7 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. increased 20.6 percent.

Net earnings for fiscal 2020 were $12.9 billion, or $11.94 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $11.2 billion, or $10.25 per diluted share in fiscal 2019. For fiscal year 2020, diluted earnings per share increased 16.5 percent versus the prior year.

“The team demonstrated ongoing flexibility to operate effectively in a very challenging environment and deliver record-breaking sales and earnings. Our ability to grow the business by over $21 billion in fiscal 2020 is a testament to both the investments we have made in the business as well as our associates’ unwavering commitment to our customers,” said Craig Menear, chairman and CEO. “We continue to lean into these investments because we believe they are critical in enabling market share growth in any economic environment. I am proud of the many ways our associates lived our values by serving our customers, communities and each other during these unquestionably challenging times, and I would like to thank them and our supplier partners for their extraordinary efforts.”

Fiscal 2021

Given the uncertainty related to the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on the consumer, the Company believes it is limited in its ability to forecast demand for fiscal 2021. As a result, the Company is not providing guidance for fiscal 2021.

“We were pleased with our record financial performance in fiscal 2020. As we look ahead to fiscal 2021, while we are not able to predict how consumer spending will evolve, if the demand environment during the back half of fiscal 2020 were to persist through fiscal 2021, it would imply flat to slightly positive comparable sales growth and operating margin of at least 14 percent,” said Richard McPhail, executive vice president and CFO.

Dividend Declaration

The Company today announced that its board of directors approved an increase in its quarterly dividend by 10.0 percent to $1.65 per share, which equates to an annual dividend of $6.60.

The dividend is payable on March 25, 2021, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 11, 2021. This is the 136^th consecutive quarter the Company has paid a cash dividend.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,296 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs approximately 500,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

###

Certain statements contained herein 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 impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related recovery on our business, operations and financial results (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; our brand and reputation; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and service providers; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and quarantines, related shut-downs and other governmental orders, and similar restrictions, as well as subsequent re-openings), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation or suspension of share repurchases; 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, including compliance with related settlements; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes, including changes to tax laws and regulations; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2021 and beyond; financial outlook; and the impact of acquired companies, including HD Supply, on our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated 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, dependent on the actions of third parties, 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 Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 1, 2020.

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.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended						Fiscal Year Ended
*in millions, except per share data*	January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020		% Change		January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020		% Change
Net sales	$	32,261	$	25,782	25.1	%	$	132,110	$	110,225	19.9	%
Cost of sales	21,430		17,046		25.7		87,257		72,653		20.1
Gross profit	10,831		8,736		24.0		44,853		37,572		19.4
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	6,187		4,814		28.5		24,447		19,740		23.8
Depreciation and amortization	561		519		8.1		2,128		1,989		7.0
Total operating expenses	6,748		5,333		26.5		26,575		21,729		22.3
Operating income	4,083		3,403		20.0		18,278		15,843		15.4
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest and investment income	(10)		(17)		(41.2)		(47)		(73)		(35.6)
Interest expense	337		309		9.1		1,347		1,201		12.2
Interest and other, net	327		292		12.0		1,300		1,128		15.2
Earnings before provision for income taxes	3,756		3,111		20.7		16,978		14,715		15.4
Provision for income taxes	899		630		42.7		4,112		3,473		18.4
Net earnings	$	2,857	$	2,481	15.2	%	$	12,866	$	11,242	14.4	%

Basic weighted average common shares	1,074		1,083		(0.8)	%	1,074		1,093		(1.7)	%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.66	$	2.29	16.2		$	11.98	$	10.29	16.4

Diluted weighted average common shares	1,078		1,088		(0.9)	%	1,078		1,097		(1.7)	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.65	$	2.28	16.2		$	11.94	$	10.25	16.5

	Three Months Ended						Fiscal Year Ended
Selected Sales Data ⁽¹⁾	January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020		% Change		January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020		% Change
Customer transactions (in millions)	416.8		369.6		12.8	%	1,756.3		1,616.0		8.7	%
Average ticket	$	75.69	$	68.29	10.8		$	74.32	$	67.30	10.4
Sales per retail square foot	$	528.01	$	425.70	24.0		$	543.74	$	454.82	19.6
————— (1) Selected Sales Data does not include results for the legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro, or results for HD Supply Holdings, Inc.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
*in millions*	January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,895	$	2,133
Receivables, net	2,992		2,106
Merchandise inventories	16,627		14,531
Other current assets	963		1,040
Total current assets	28,477		19,810
Net property and equipment	24,705		22,770
Operating lease right-of-use assets	5,962		5,595
Goodwill	7,126		2,254
Other assets	4,311		807
Total assets	$	70,581	$	51,236

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	—	$	974
Accounts payable	11,606		7,787
Accrued salaries and related expenses	2,463		1,494
Current installments of long-term debt	1,416		1,839
Current operating lease liabilities	828		828
Other current liabilities	6,853		5,453
Total current liabilities	23,166		18,375
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	35,822		28,670
Long-term operating lease liabilities	5,356		5,066
Other liabilities	2,938		2,241
Total liabilities	67,282		54,352
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	3,299		(3,116)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	70,581	$	51,236

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
	Fiscal Year Ended
*in millions*	January 31, 2021		February 2, 2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	12,866	$	11,242
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,519		2,296
Stock-based compensation expense	310		251
Changes in working capital	3,592		(488)
Changes in deferred income taxes	(569)		202
Other operating activities	121		184
Net cash provided by operating activities	18,839		13,687

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,463)		(2,678)
Payments for business acquired, net	(7,780)		—
Other investing activities	73		25
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,170)		(2,653)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt, net	(974)		(365)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums	7,933		3,420
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,872)		(1,070)
Repurchases of common stock	(791)		(6,965)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	326		280
Cash dividends	(6,451)		(5,958)
Other financing activities	(154)		(140)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,983)		(10,798)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	5,686		236
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	76		119
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,133		1,778
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	7,895	$	2,133
————— Note: Effective February 3, 2020, we reclassified cash flows relating to book overdrafts from financing to operating activities for all periods presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The amounts of these reclassifications were not material.

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SOURCE The Home Depot

Kia Motors America Renews Sponsorship Of B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School

February 22, 2021

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America and B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) today announced a renewal of their partnership and continued commitment to reducing injuries and saving lives by providing teens and their parents with the tools they need to be responsible behind the wheel. Founded in 2008, B.R.A.K.E.S. combines classroom instruction with hands-on-defensive driver training courses in Kia vehicles for both teen drivers and their parents. Along with their teens, parents are asked to participate as a way to reinforce the lessons teens learn during the classes and as a way to identify and correct any bad habits that may have developed through the years since they themselves began driving.

The first B.R.A.K.E.S. classes of the year took place this past weekend, February 20-21, at the zMax Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pandemic depending, additional classes to be scheduled across the country when appropriate. All CDC guidelines will be strictly adhered to and B.R.A.K.E.S. is implementing routine cleaning and disinfecting of all classrooms, touchpoints and vehicles to ensure the safety of students, parents and instructors. In addition, B.R.A.K.E.S. has reduced class sizes and will adhere to social distancing and mask wearing guidelines. To register for a class or to view the full upcoming schedule, visit www.putonthebrakes.org.

“The number-one cause of death among teens are car crashes. Education and real-word training are two of the most important ways we can facilitate a change and make a difference in that area, but it wouldn’t be possible without Kia’s help and the fleet of training vehicles the company provides,” said Doug Herbert, drag-racing-champion and founder of B.R.A.K.E.S. “It’s impossible to gauge the exact number of lives the B.R.A.K.E.S schools have saved over the last 13 years. In total, we have trained more than 94,000 teens and their parents. But even if we can only say for certain that we saved just one life, it would all be worth it. The ongoing commitment and support from Kia allow us to continue making America’s roads safer for everyone and for that we are grateful.”

Kia serves as the Official Vehicle and a presenting sponsor of B.R.A.K.E.S., and through the automaker’s support, B.R.A.K.E.S. can offer free training for all attendees. Kia’s sponsorship helps by offsetting costs through a financial donation and the fleet of 44 Kia vehicles, including Soul, Rio and Forte models that are supplied by Kia for each training class.

“Kia is committed to vehicle and road safety, and our partnership with B.R.A.K.E.S. is an important way for us to strengthen our efforts to ‘Accelerate The Good’ through tangible action,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia Motors America. “We congratulate B.R.A.K.E.S. for the life-saving work they have made their mission and Kia is proud to continue our collaboration for years to come.”

Each B.R.A.K.E.S. school includes four hours of training, starting with a short, 45-minute classroom presentation followed by nearly three hours behind the wheel using new Kia vehicles as part of the practical demonstrations. The program includes distracted driving awareness, panic braking, drop-wheel/off-road recovery, crash avoidance and car control/skid recovery – all among the biggest causes of crashes for new drivers. Other educational elements often include ‘Big Rig’ safety, first responder vehicle extrication demonstration, and what to do in the event of a traffic stop.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and K5 are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

About B.R.A.K.E.S.

Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) is a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving. B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded in 2008 after Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash. Today, 30,000 teens from 43 different states and five countries – and their parents – have graduated from the B.R.A.K.E.S.’ intensive half-day training course, which is free of charge and features hands-on skills exercises taught by professional instructors in a fleet of new vehicles donated by Kia Motors America.

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SOURCE Kia Motors America

FIBRA Prologis Advances with its Asset Recycling Strategy

February 22, 2021

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV: FIBRAPL14), a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today announced the completion of two asset recycling transactions. In the Mexico City submarket of Toluca, the company acquired three properties totaling 258,912 square feet of industrial space for a total investment of US$18.6 million, including closing and leasing costs. The properties were acquired from a third-party and are proximate to Toluca International Airport and Prologis Park Toluca I. This acquisition complements the company’s existing portfolio in Toluca, which is fully occupied and has seen strong demand. While currently vacant, these three properties are expected to be leased this year.

Separately, the company sold three buildings in Guadalajara totaling 493,400 square feet for $25.1 million to a leading institutional investor and developer. The properties are located in the El Salto submarket and are currently 69% occupied.

“Through our asset recycling program, we were able to strengthen our portfolio in Toluca while decreasing our exposure to Guadalajara, which has seen greater supply over the last year,” said Luis Gutierrez, CEO, Prologis Property Mexico. “Our team of real estate professionals did a great job with these transactions; creating value for our certificate holders.”

ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS

FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of December 31, 2020, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 205 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 40.2 million square feet (3.7 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust (“FIBRA”) status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, (ix) risks related to the coronavirus pandemic, and (x) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the “Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores” and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading “Risk Factors.” FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.

Non-Solicitation – Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.

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SOURCE FIBRA Prologis

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