KaBOOM! and the Rebuild Texas Fund Launch Partnership to Provide Play Opportunities for Kids Across 35 Communities in Southeast Texas Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

May 15, 2018

AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve through great, safe places to play, and the Rebuild Texas Fund announced their partnership to invest $2.1 million to create 35 playspaces in communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas. The partnership will create 15 community-designed playground projects, and award 20 creative play products – Imagination Playground™ and Rigamjig – to organizations across 41 counties in Southeast Texas, providing new opportunities to play for more than 87,500 kids over the next generation.

Ensuring kids have safe places to play is critical to helping families and communities heal during times of recovery, as they continue to deal with the stress of lost homes, lost loved ones, and lost routine. Nearly a year later, many families – especially those most in need – in the region are still struggling to find convenient, safe spaces to play. By creating and providing playspaces, this work will help kids and communities continue to regain a sense of normalcy, and make play an easier choice for families.

This partnership is part of the Rebuild Texas Fund’s ongoing effort to help stabilize areas across Southeast Texas. These efforts started when Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25^th of last year, impacting more than eight million residents in 41 Texas counties in its aftermath. The Rebuild Texas Fund was launched immediately following Hurricane Harvey by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the OneStar Foundation with the goal of helping Texas communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey rebuild and thrive.

“As part of our focus in long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts across Texas, we are thrilled to work with KaBOOM! to create more opportunities for kids and families to get the support they deserve,” said Neeraj Aggarwal, Program Director of the Rebuild Texas Fund. “There’s more work to be done, and through this partnership we will continue to help more families and communities in this region dedicate play resources toward our most valuable asset – our kids.”

This effort is also a part the ongoing commitment KaBOOM! has made to investing in kids and families impacted by natural disaster. The Rebuild Texas Fund investment immediately doubles this impact across Southeast Texas in Hurricane Harvey affected communities, bringing the organization’s total commitment to $4.2 million and serving more than 155,000 kids over the next generation.

“We are grateful for another opportunity to serve the communities of Southeast Texas by working with local partners to provide spaces for kids to play during this time of recovery,” said Roxane Rucker, Vice President, Community Impact at KaBOOM!. “We know that playspaces create a buffer for kids to the stress and adversity around them, and allows them to focus on getting back to what they do best – being kids.”

Through this partnership, KaBOOM! will work alongside the Rebuild Texas Fund to serve communities – big and small – affected by Hurricane Harvey by ensuring kids can get back to the business of childhood and bringing communities together in common purpose.

Applications for playground projects and creative play product grants are being accepted from 41 counties in Southeast Texas and may be submitted by government entities, non-profits or individuals / groups who have partnered with them. To learn more about how to more play opportunities to these communities, please visit https://kaboom.org/rebuildtexas/.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – especially those living in poverty – the childhood they deserve through great, safe places to play. KaBOOM! inspires communities to make play the easy choice and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of PLAYces. KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build or restore more than 17,000 playspaces, engaged more than 1.5 million volunteers and served over 9 million kids. To learn why play matters for all kids, visit kaboom.org and join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom, facebook.com/kaboom and Instagram/kaboom. #playmatters #PLAYceforKids

About Rebuild Texas Fund
The Rebuild Texas Fund is a joint initiative of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the OneStar Foundation. The Rebuild Texas Fund supports organizations making an impact in the following six focus areas: community and economic development; health; housing; education and childcare; transportation and workforce; and capital for rebuilding small businesses. Funding through the Rebuild Texas Fund will be provided to eligible nonprofit, government, corporate, and philanthropic organizations working on the ground in Texas communities, big and small, that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. More information about the Rebuild Texas Fund is available at www.RebuildTX.org.

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SOURCE KaBOOM!

Goya Foods Presents $75,000 Check to Support the Latino Concert Series at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts and Donates 2,800 Pounds of Food to Food Pantry of Lehman College

May 15, 2018

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Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods presents Lehman Center for the Performing Arts with a $75,000 check for the Latino Concert Series in the Bronx.

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic owned food company in the United States, presented a $75,000 check in support of the Latino Concert Series at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and announce a food donation of 2,800 pounds to the college’s food pantry for students in need at the INDIA concert with special guest Michael Stuart on Saturday, May 12^th, 2018 at 8 p.m.

The donation is part of Goya Gives, the company’s national initiative to promoting and supporting the overall well-being of our communities through social responsibility, environmental initiatives, and company values. “Goya has always believed in the importance of giving back to the community and honoring our Latin culture, roots, and heritage,” said Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods. “We are honored to be title sponsors of Lehman’s Latino Concert Series and to bring together people through a mutual love of good music and great food! In addition, we will donate 2,800 pounds of food to students struggling with food insecurity at Lehman in hopes of bringing comfort with a healthy meal.”

Goya Foods has been a proud supporter of nearly 300 charitable endeavors, programs, scholarships, and events that promote culture and benefit overall community wellness. Goya Gives not only demonstrates the company’s corporate and social responsibility but solidifies their dedication to social causes and the values they hold true to the foundation of Goya Foods.

“Goya’s support of the Lehman Center concert series and the Lehman College Food Pantry are evidence of Goya’s commitment to nurturing the heart and soul of the Bronx through investments that expand the cultural capital of our community and eradicate food insecurity among our students,” said José Luis Cruz, President of Lehman College.

The Latino Concert Series has attracted iconic performers to the Bronx for more than a decade, showcasing top artists such as Willie Colón, Johnny Pacheco, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Eddie Palmieri, Prince Royce, Jose Alberto, as well as the late Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. The Forever Freestyle and Parranda Navideña concerts are perennial sellouts, in addition to a showcase of the greatest symphonic music and dance companies from Latin America.

“We are thrilled with our sponsorship with Goya Foods in support of the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. There is a natural alignment between us, given Goya Foods’ unparalleled position as the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States and Lehman Center’s reputation as a leading presenter of Latino music in the Bronx, Northern Manhattan, Westchester County, and beyond,” said Eva Bornstein, Executive Director for Lehman Center. “Goya Food’s support will make it possible for the Latino Series to grow and continue to attract large audiences for many years to come!”

About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

CONTACT: Natalie Maniscalco, 1-845-659-6506, [email protected]

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SOURCE Goya Foods

The International Union of Painters of Allied Trades District Council 91 Urges Governor of Tennessee to Veto State Bill Expanding Policing of Immigrant Workers

May 15, 2018

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The International Union of Painters of Allied Trades District Council 91 Urges Governor of Tennessee to Veto State Bill Expanding Policing of Immigrant Workers

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The IUPAT, District Council 91 represents hard working people across four states covering Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois in the construction industry. We raise our collective voices today alongside local community and labor groups to urge Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam (TN-R) to veto House Bill 2315, which would empower local law enforcement agents on all levels to act as immigration agents and undermines our current constitutional requirement to obtain a judicial warrant of ICE before turning over individuals for deportation.

This bill, we believe, will create an environment of fear that unscrupulous employers will abuse to continue exploiting workers and undermine their rights to organize into a union in addition. Every 9 hours in the South, a construction worker dies at their workplace, legislation such as HB 2315 will only increase the number of deaths in our industry. Construction workers across our state face deplorable and unsafe working conditions at the hands of employers that devalue lives and threaten their workforce with deportation to evade responsibility. Furthermore, the state risks losing a skilled workforce as we experience sweeping worker shortages across the development boom underway—this is something neither our industry nor communities can afford.

We urge Governor Haslam to veto the bill within 10 days of it arriving at his office and stand on the right side of history by keeping this bill from becoming an unjust law.

“This is not just an immigration issue, but a labor rights issue as well. Our current immigration system is broken and until there is a just federal solution, we cannot allow local laws to persecute hardworking people. As Labor unions, it is our responsibility to fully represent all members and work towards opening our doors to future members that may be affected by this bill if signed into law—we must prioritize the safety and livelihoods of workers everywhere if we are to truly uphold our American values of prosperity.” – Roger Hester, IUPAT District 91 Director of Business Development

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 91 covers the entire State of Indiana, the western half of Kentucky and middle Tennessee, with some territory in southeastern Illinois. Our membership consists of trades such as Painters, Drywall Finishers, Vinyl Hangers, Glaziers as well as Hydroblasting, Bill Posters, manufacture glass products, and industrial workers who perform fireproofing and lead or asbestos abatement including mold and mildew remediation.

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SOURCE International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Kids Come for Activities, Stay for Food

May 15, 2018

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Dairy Council of California elevates the health of children and families in California through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Learn more about our nutrition education programs at HealthyEating.org.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — When schools close for summer break, the door on good nutrition may also shut for the 2 million California children who rely on free and reduced meals at school but miss out on USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8288751-usda-dairy-council-of-california-kids-summer-meal-activities/

Missing out on healthy meals and milk over the summer months can negatively impact children’s health and put them at an academic disadvantage come fall. Summer breakfasts and lunches provide food from all five food groups for all kids and teens 18 and under, no paperwork required.

At summer meal sites, nutritious foods aren’t the only benefit. “When it comes to kids and teens, having something to do can be even more appealing than something to eat,” said Alyson Foote, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, project manager for Dairy Council of California. “That’s why we are working with community organizations, nonprofits, schools, libraries and more to provide fun activities and free promotional resources for summer meals to keep healthy eating on the menu for all California children 18 and under this summer.”

In Sacramento and San Bernardino counties, Dairy Council of California has worked in community partnerships, called summer meals collaboratives, focused on increasing summer meal locations and participation. Sites that provide engagement activities like STEM or literacy programs tend to have higher participation throughout the summer months. Thanks to widespread community outreach led by local schools and activity-based programs like Lunch at the Library, meal participation during summer 2017 increased 15 percent in Sacramento County and more than doubled in San Bernardino County.

“Joining a local summer meals collaborative is a great way to network and share resources from your local farmers, chefs, nutritionists and public health educators. It is truly building a program for the community by the community,” said Vince Caguin, director of nutrition services & warehousing at Natomas Unified School District and founding member of the Sacramento Summer Meals Collaborative. “I challenge my colleagues across the state to connect with or start up a local summer meals collaborative and add a couple more sites for this summer. Together we can have a tremendous and positive impact on the health of California’s children.”

Everyone can get involved to open windows of opportunity to keep activities and healthy meals on the menu for California’s children this summer. Schools are a trusted source of information for parents. Before school is out, consider adding summer meals information to school websites, sending home information with students and scheduling updates on social channels like Facebook and Twitter to keep parents and students informed. School foodservice departments can also consider adding summer meals information on menu backs. For sample newsletter text, social media posts and more, visit FuelYourSummer.org, a free toolkit created by the Sacramento Summer Meals Collaborative led by United Way California Capital Region.

About Dairy Council of California
For nearly a century, Dairy Council of California has empowered stakeholders, including educators, health professionals and communities, to elevate the health of children and parents through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and local milk processors, Dairy Council of California’s science-based nutrition education resources, Mobile Dairy Classroom assemblies, training programs and online tools reach millions in California and throughout the United States. Learn more at HealthyEating.org.

CONTACT: Sara Floor, Dairy Council of California 916.263.3560 [email protected]

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SOURCE Dairy Council of California

2018 CMC Annual Conference Takes On Corporate Diversity & Cultural Models Of Success

May 15, 2018

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AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is rebranding as Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing, which will continue to elevate the quality and effectiveness of U.S. marketing by harnessing the power of cultural expertise and impact to drive business results.

FAIRFAX, Virginia, May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With rapidly changing demographics, culture plays a leading role in marketing strategies, but marketers are often puzzled by the structure and approach. The Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing (CMC) will provide a snapshot on corporate diversity at their annual conference taking place at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles June 4-6. The conference will also bring together top brands, including AutoZone, Coffee-mate, Intuit and Verizon, to discuss models and structures that work.

“We want to ensure there are culture marketing specialists spread across the leadership spectrum of our clients, in addition to having the right team of partners,” said CMC Chair Isaac Mizrahi, co-president & COO of Alma.

The sessions that tackle these topics include:

Corporate America and the State of Latino Representation
When it comes to Latino representation in corporate America, who’s doing great? What are the barriers and what is the relationship between proper representation and business success? Panelists Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc, Dr. Robert Rodriguez, president of DRR Advisors LLC, and Cristian Camilo Zarta, recruitment/client manager & multicultural specialist at De Forest Search discuss how a leadership team that is diverse and reflects the composition of our society has a higher probability of understanding the new consumer marketplace.
Multicultural Structure: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
When it comes to tackling multicultural marketing, there is no one-size-fits-all model. Every client has a different approach, from the summer intern to fully-staffed departments. A panel featuring Ida Chacon, vice president of custom solutions at Collage Group, Margie Bravo, marketing multicultural champion for Coffee-mate at Nestlé, and Alejandra Barron, director of merchandise & integrated marketing at AutoZone will discuss the pros and cons of each.
Culture is the New Mainstream
As demographics rapidly shift, many brands recognize the value of having the multicultural marketing agency take the lead in mainstream or “general market” executions. Led by SRI owner Catherine Bension, this session features panelists Ricardo Aspiazu, director of promotions & device marketing at Verizon, and John Sandoval, senior brand & Latino marketing manager at Intuit, as they discuss how this model is delivering success for their brand. They’ll share the sell-in process, how the collaboration works, the obstacles and opportunities, and the key takeaways from these relationships.

The CMC Annual Conference will deliver content underscoring the Power of C³: Creativity, Community & Culture. C-suite executives from Nestlé and Target will present as well as top leaders from AutoZone, Comcast, Domino’s Pizza, Intuit, NFL, Pepsi, Sprint, Twitter, and Verizon. Topics include The Multicultural Marketing Journey with Comcast, Domino’s Pizza & Pepsi, The Hispanic Brand in the Trump Era, Influence of Influencers, Pasión for Sports: How Hispanics Are Driving the Future of Sports Marketing, In-Culture Marketing: Driving Brand Growth, Fireside Chat with Danny Trejo: Hispanic Representation on Screens, The Future of Advertising Agencies, Digital Lives 2018, Fact or Fiction: The Current State of the Hispanic Market, among others.

For more information, visit culturemarketingcouncil.org and follow the CMC on Facebook and Twitter at @cmchispanic using the conference hashtag #CMCpowerof3.

About CMC

Founded in 1996 as the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, the Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/635930/Culture_Marketing_Council_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing

“My NICU Baby” App Supports Parents Of Babies Born Sick Or Too Soon

May 15, 2018

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March of Dimes Foundation Logo (PRNewsfoto/March of Dimes Foundation)

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the families of critically ill and premature babies, the hospital newborn intensive care unit (NICU) can be a confusing blur of equipment, sounds, and terminology. Now March of Dimes is helping to change that by providing a one-stop shop of information and support for families with its new My NICU Baby app. The app is free and available for both iOS and Android devices.

“My NICU Baby empowers moms and dads with the knowledge and tools they need at an overwhelming and scary time in their lives,” says Stacey D. Stewart, president of March of Dimes.

Using the My NICU Baby app, families will have the resources they need in their hand to help them cope with the NICU experience as well as the transition to home. Unique features will allow families to:

Watch educational videos on various parenting topics;
Learn the vocabulary of the baby’s care;
Use a checklist and questionnaire to help keep track of questions for health care providers, make to-do lists, or take notes;
Track feedings and breast milk pumping for their baby;
Track weight gain/loss for their baby;
Use a fun “Photo booth” feature to put photo filters on new or existing photos;
Participate in Share Your Story, the March of Dimes online community of parents;
Give feedback to March of Dimes and receive notifications.

“No other app has all these features in one place for parents,” says Denise Zahui Gboignon, whose son Orion, born prematurely at 24 weeks in February 2018, is still in a Massachusetts hospital NICU. Denise began using My NICU Baby a week after Orion’s birth. “It was so helpful to find all the education videos right there. I learned the medical terms used in the NICU, and what questions to ask the doctors. My sister-in-law also downloaded the app and it helped her understand the baby’s care, too. She came with me to meet with the doctors and was able to support me more because of that.”

“Right now I’m using the app to track my son’s weight; it gives me peace of mind to know that he’s on the right track in his development,” Denise says. “I’m also taking pictures to share with family and friends, and learning about kangaroo care. The app also gives me confidence about our transition to home,” she says.

Denise finds the ability to connect with other parents of preemies in the Share Your Story community uniquely valuable. “Other parents understand what you’re going through, and it’s so nice to share experiences with them and know you’re not alone,” she says.

My NICU Baby is part of March of Dimes’ investment in the health of all moms and babies. Content in the app is written in plain language and reviewed by medical experts and NICU families. Printed versions of the information are available to families through the March of Dimes NICU Family Support® program, a partnership between March of Dimes and hospitals across the country that offers information and comfort to families experiencing the NICU hospitalization of their baby and provides training for NICU staff.

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes

The Home Depot Announces First Quarter Results; Reaffirms Fiscal Year 2018 Guidance

May 15, 2018

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The Home Depot logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Home Depot) (PRNewsFoto/)

ATLANTA, May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $24.9 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, a 4.4 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were positive 4.2 percent, and comp sales in the U.S. were positive 3.9 percent.

Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $2.4 billion, or $2.08 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.0 billion, or $1.67 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2017. For the first quarter of fiscal 2018, diluted earnings per share increased 24.6 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“We are pleased by the strength of our business despite a slow start to the spring selling season,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “Outside of our seasonal business, we had solid results in all markets and categories and are seeing strong momentum in all lines of business during these first few weeks of May. These trends, as well as a favorable housing and macroeconomic backdrop, give us confidence to reaffirm our sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2018. I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and continued dedication to our customers.”

Fiscal 2018 Guidance

Including the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 discussed below, the Company expects its fiscal 2018 sales to grow by approximately 6.7 percent and comp sales to be up approximately 5.0 percent. The Company also reaffirmed its diluted earnings-per-share growth guidance for the year and expects diluted earnings-per-share growth of approximately 28.0 percent from fiscal 2017 to $9.31.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement – Revenue Recognition

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, which pertains to revenue recognition. The adoption of this standard will not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. Under ASU No. 2014-09, the Company has changed the presentation of certain expenses and cost reimbursements associated with its private label credit card program, certain expenses related to the sale of gift cards to customers, and gift card breakage income. The Company also has changed its recognition of gift card breakage income to be recognized proportionately as redemption occurs, rather than based on historical redemption patterns.

The Company has adopted this standard on a modified retrospective basis. In accordance therewith, financial information prior to fiscal 2018 will not be recast. The consolidated statement of earnings and balance sheet for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 reflect the effect of this accounting policy adoption. The impact of adoption was an increase of $33 million to net sales, a decrease of $98 million to cost of sales, and a corresponding increase of $131 million to operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. There is no impact from the Company’s adoption on operating income, net earnings or earnings per share. The balance sheet reflects the cumulative impact of adoption using the modified retrospective method as well as the impact of recording the sales return allowance on a gross basis rather than as a net liability. Additional information about the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 is available at http://ir.homedepot.com/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2018.

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 http://ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the first quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,285 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs more than 400,000 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 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 Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2018 and beyond; 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 Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended January 28, 2018 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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
*in millions, except per share data*	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Net sales	$	24,947	$	23,887	4.4	%
Cost of sales	16,330		15,733		3.8
Gross profit	8,617		8,154		5.7
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	4,779		4,361		9.6
Depreciation and amortization	457		444		2.9
Total operating expenses	5,236		4,805		9.0
Operating income	3,381		3,349		1.0
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest and investment income	(22)		(13)		69.2
Interest expense	261		254		2.8
Interest and other, net	239		241		(0.8)
Earnings before provision for income taxes	3,142		3,108		1.1
Provision for income taxes	738		1,094		(32.5)
Net earnings	$	2,404	$	2,014	19.4	%

Basic weighted average common shares	1,152		1,198		(3.8)	%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.09	$	1.68	24.4

Diluted weighted average common shares	1,158		1,204		(3.8)	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.08	$	1.67	24.6

	Three Months Ended
Selected Sales Data ⁽¹⁾	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Customer transactions (in millions)	375.9		380.8		(1.3)	%
Average ticket	$	66.02	$	62.39	5.8
Sales per square foot	412.03		394.17		4.5

—————

(1)

Selected Sales Data does not include results for Interline Brands, Inc., which was acquired in fiscal 2015.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

*in millions*	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		January 28, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,599	$	3,565	$	3,595
Receivables, net	2,296		2,164		1,952
Merchandise inventories	14,432		13,609		12,748
Other current assets	887		558		638
Total current assets	21,214		19,896		18,933
Net property and equipment	21,928		21,789		22,075
Goodwill	2,281		2,095		2,275
Other assets	1,227		1,164		1,246
Total assets	$	46,650	$	44,944	$	44,529

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Short-term debt	$	350	$	—	$	1,559
Accounts payable	9,726		9,138		7,244
Accrued salaries and related expenses	1,413		1,353		1,640
Current installments of long-term debt	1,199		544		1,202
Other current liabilities	5,445		5,403		4,549
Total current liabilities	18,133		16,438		16,194
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	24,244		22,393		24,267
Other liabilities	2,586		2,151		2,614
Total liabilities	44,963		40,982		43,075
Total stockholders’ equity	1,687		3,962		1,454
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	46,650	$	44,944	$	44,529

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
*in millions*	April 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 amortization	532		505
Stock-based compensation expense	84		81
Changes in working capital and other, net of acquisition effects	961		1,964
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,981		4,564

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of non-cash capital expenditures	(556)		(458)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	8		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 stock	14		31
Cash dividends	(1,189)		(1,069)
Other financing activities	115		(33)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,400)		(3,081)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	33		1,038
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(29)		(11)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,595		2,538
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	3,599	$	3,565

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
ASU NO. 2014-09 IMPACT OF ADOPTION
(Unaudited)

The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, which pertains to revenue recognition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The following table shows the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-09 on the consolidated statement of earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The implementation of this accounting standard resulted in an increase in net sales, gross profit, selling, general and administrative, and total operating expenses and a decrease in cost of sales. There was no impact on operating income, net earnings, or earnings per share.

	Three Months Ended April 29, 2018
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Impact		Excluding ASU No. 2014-09 Impact		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	24,947	100.0	%	$	33	$	24,914	100.0	%
Cost of sales	16,330		65.5		(98)		16,428		65.9
Gross profit	8,617		34.5		131		8,486		34.1
Selling, general and administrative	4,779		19.2		131		4,648		18.7
Total operating expenses	5,236		21.0		131		5,105		20.5

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
ASU NO. 2014-09 IMPACT OF ADOPTION
(Unaudited)

The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, which pertains to revenue recognition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The following table shows the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-09 on the consolidated balance sheet as of April 29, 2018.

	April 29, 2018
*in millions*	As Reported		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Excluding ASU No. 2014-09 Effect
Assets
Receivables, net	$	2,296	$	(46)	$	2,342
Other current assets	887		269		618
Total current assets	21,214		223		20,991
Total assets	46,650		223		46,427

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Other current liabilities	$	5,445	$	124	$	5,321
Total current liabilities	18,133		124		18,009
Other liabilities	2,586		24		2,562
Total liabilities	44,963		148		44,815
Total stockholders’ equity	1,687		75		1,612
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	46,650		223		46,427

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
PRO FORMA EFFECT OF ASU NO. 2014-09
(Unaudited)

The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, which pertains to revenue recognition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 using the modified retrospective method. In accordance therewith, financial information prior to fiscal 2018 will not be recast as the modified retrospective method does not permit recasting pre-adoption financial information. The following tables present selected as-reported financial results and the pro forma effect of ASU No. 2014-09 as if the recognition and presentation guidance in the accounting standard had been applied in fiscal 2017. There was no impact on operating income, net earnings, or earnings per share. The fiscal 2017 pro forma financial information included in the tables below is presented for informational purposes only.

	Three Months Ended April 30, 2017
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Including ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	23,887	100.0	%	$	48	$	23,935	100.0	%
Cost of sales	15,733		65.9		(90)		15,643		65.4
Gross profit	8,154		34.1		138		8,292		34.6
Selling, general and administrative	4,361		18.3		138		4,499		18.8
Total operating expenses	4,805		20.1		138		4,943		20.7

	Three Months Ended July 30, 2017
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Including ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	28,108	100.0	%	$	33	$	28,141	100.0	%
Cost of sales	18,647		66.3		(114)		18,533		65.9
Gross profit	9,461		33.7		147		9,608		34.1
Selling, general and administrative	4,549		16.2		147		4,696		16.7
Total operating expenses	4,998		17.8		147		5,145		18.3

	Three Months Ended October 29, 2017
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Including ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	25,026	100.0	%	$	44	$	25,070	100.0	%
Cost of sales	16,378		65.4		(85)		16,293		65.0
Gross profit	8,648		34.6		129		8,777		35.0
Selling, general and administrative	4,514		18.0		129		4,643		18.5
Total operating expenses	4,968		19.9		129		5,097		20.3

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Including ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	23,883	100.0	%	$	41	$	23,924	100.0	%
Cost of sales	15,790		66.1		(85)		15,705		65.6
Gross profit	8,093		33.9		126		8,219		34.4
Selling, general and administrative	4,440		18.6		126		4,566		19.1
Total operating expenses	4,904		20.5		126		5,030		21.0

	Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2018
*in millions*	As Reported		*% of* *Net Sales*		ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		Including ASU No. 2014-09 Effect		*% of* *Net Sales*
Net sales	$	100,904	100.0	%	$	166	$	101,070	100.0	%
Cost of sales	66,548		66.0		(374)		66,174		65.5
Gross profit	34,356		34.0		540		34,896		34.5
Selling, general and administrative	17,864		17.7		540		18,404		18.2
Total operating expenses	19,675		19.5		540		20,215		20.0

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

People En Español Releases Findings On Latina Professional Tipping Point From 2018 Hispanic Opinion Tracker Study

May 14, 2018

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NEW YORK, May 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Meredith Corporation’s People en Español has released A Cultural Re: Evolution, the newest insights from its Hispanic Opinion Tracker (HOT) Study – the longest-running nationally representative study of Latinas in the U.S. In 2014, the HOT study looked at the millennial Latina with an emphasis on beauty. In 2016, with Latinas@Work, professional Latinas shared their experiences in the workplace. For the eighteenth year of the study, A Cultural Re:Evolution surveyed nearly 1,000 Latinas age 18-64 representing a broader slice of the Latina spectrum across age and acculturations with a focus on mothers, millennials and working women.

“With this study we wanted to examine how the current socio-political climate – with conversations around DACA, immigration reform, #MeToo, #TimesUp and other important movements – has impacted the modern Latina’s perception of her place in American society,” said People en Español Brand Sales Director Monique Manso. “This study illustrates just how significant career has become in her overall set of priorities, as she’s become more than ever a confident, career-minded woman, and represents a demographic of young leaders who don’t want to be bound by overwhelming stereotypes and pre-conceived notions.”

A Cultural Re:Evolution reveals that U.S. Latinas have reached the tipping point where professional identity takes precedence over other roles in Latinas’ lives and represent a new chapter in the evolution of a complex woman who is at the forefront of a cultural, political and generational shift.

Key findings from A Cultural Re:Evolution are as follows:

86% of Latina millennials feel good about work and that in their career, her culture is an asset versus a potential hindrance as seen past studies.
53% of Latinas are the first to go to college in families with a long history of change (immigration, etc.). Their entire family supports their success as part of a widespread belief that education in the key to success.
38% of Latinas see financial worry as a top stressor, as the Latina is the main breadwinner in the household that’s often multigenerational.
71% of Latina Moms and 74% of millennial Moms believe that raising their children to be bicultural gives them an advantage.

PEOPLE Chica, the People en Español English language digital platform aimed at U.S. Hispanic millennials and Gen Z Latinas, released a video roundtable addressing the Cultural Re-Evolution study. The roundtable, moderated by People En Español and People Chica Digital Executive Editor Shirley Velasquez, features three millennial Latina professionals discussing the key pillars highlighted in the overall study: culture, identity, career, education, motherhood and finance. The participants included: Frances Solá-Santiago, a 23-year-old Puerto Rican writer and video producer; Thatiana Diaz, a 25-year-old Dominican-American digital writer; and Brenda Barrientos, a 23-year-old Peruvian-American social media editor.

Watch the full, 20-minute discussion here: http://people.com/chica/what-latina-millennials-want-today/

“The study’s findings resonated with me and inspired me to bring together my colleagues to dive deeper into how the results mirror our own experiences and current personal and professional day-to-day lives,” said People En Español and People Chica Digital Executive Editor Shirley Velasquez. “It’s important for us to use this research as an opportunity to voice our truths and initiate important conversations.”

A Cultural Re:Evolution was commissioned by People en Español in partnership with Stephen Palacios, Partner & Principal at Ahzul with Lieberman Research Worldwide. People en Español aims to use this industry-leading research to help inform its content and marketing strategies and to support its brand partners across industries to better understand the behaviors, needs, and mindset of today’s Latina in their efforts to design strategic marketing campaigns that can reach this valuable target audience.

ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION
Meredith has been committed to service journalism for more than 115 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms — including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile and video — to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Meredith’s National Media Group reaches 175 million unduplicated American consumers every month, including 80 percent of U.S. Millennial women. Meredith’s Local Media Group includes 17 television stations reaching more than 11 percent of U.S. households.

ABOUT PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL
PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL was launched in 1996 as a special issue and today has become the top-selling Hispanic magazine in the United States. Published 11 times a year, PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL reaches an audience of 7 million every month with its editorial mix of Hispanic and popular entertainment, fashion and beauty trends and compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL delivers original editorial content that captures the values, contributions and impact of today’s Hispanics in the United States. The brand’s social media footprint includes 1,400,000 followers on Twitter, over 4,300,000 “Likes” on Facebook and 1,800,000 followers on Instagram. For daily news, photos, exclusive behind-the-scenes video and celebrity scoops, visit www.peopleenespanol.com and follow PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL on Twitter at @peopleenespanol.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/643919/People_en_Espanol_Logo.jpg

SOURCE People en Español

(Español) Harbor Freight Tools retira del mercado motosierras debido a riesgo de lesión grave

May 14, 2018

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Global Standards Leader ASTM International Launches “Caribbean Roadshow” in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana

May 14, 2018

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WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, May 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ASTM International, one of the world’s leading standards organizations, announced today that it will host several events in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana as part of the “Caribbean Roadshow,” June 4-8.

The roadshow includes outreach, training, and education focused on the growing use of ASTM International standards and International Code Council (ICC) codes. The team will highlight longstanding Caribbean partnerships and focus on how standards and codes are the foundation for quality and safety in construction projects.

Activities also include industry workshops and meetings with high-profile groups in Kingston (June 4-5), Port of Spain (June 6), and Georgetown (June 7-8). Speakers will include Mark Johnson, executive vice president of ICC, and R. Christopher Mathis, ASTM International board member and president of MC2 Mathis Consulting.

“This partnership involves unprecedented outreach and networking aimed at finding solutions to sustainable construction challenges,” said ASTM International director of external relations, James Olshefsky. “We look forward to highlighting the many members and dozens of partners who increasingly use ASTM’s high-quality standards throughout the region.”

In addition, the roadshow will include student forums during which students will learn about ASTM’s academic offerings, and laboratory roundtables, where ASTM staff will present information about ASTM’s laboratory services.

ASTM International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) as well as all of its member states including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. These agreements encourage participation of technical experts worldwide in the standards development process, while also broadening the global acceptance of ASTM International standards.

The “Caribbean Roadshow” follows a similar roadshow in September 2017 to El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Over the past 17 years, ASTM International has signed 109 MOUs with national standards bodies worldwide. As a result, its standards have been referenced more than 7,500 times outside the United States in laws, regulations, codes, and elsewhere. For more information on this program, visit www.astm.org/GLOBAL/mou.html.

Follow the Road Show on Facebook and Twitter (#ASTMRoadShow).

About ASTM International

Committed to serving global societal needs, ASTM International positively impacts public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. We integrate consensus standards – developed with our international membership of volunteer technical experts – and innovate services to improve lives… Helping our world work better.

Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; [email protected]
Roadshow Contact: James Olshefsky, tel +1.610.832.9714; [email protected]

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SOURCE ASTM International