Infectious Disease Expert Urges Travelers To Put Risk Of Zika In Perspective

August 16, 2016

Official Logo of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Penn Global Medicine, Medical Director and physician Dr. Stephen J. Gluckman called on travelers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines while maintaining perspective on the risk of Zika for those who are not pregnant. His advice supports the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s (PRTC) ongoing efforts to educate visitors about Zika. Dr. Gluckman has been in the practice of both General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases for more than 45 years, and is the recipient of more than 20 teaching awards.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160816/398522

Dr. Gluckman, who has provided care and taught in many developing countries in a number of different capacities, cautioned against blowing things out of proportion for those not pregnant or of child-bearing age. “We need to educate travelers about Zika and not fuel speculation about the disease. The more hype about Zika, the more the public will feel angst over the virus. Except for pregnant women or those trying to conceive, Zika is not dangerous for most people and there should be little worry in the general population.”

Dr. Gluckman continued: “As a whole, the disease itself is pretty mild. In fact, 80 percent of those who contract Zika have no symptoms. Typically, it causes five-to-seven days of a mild illness that includes fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.” He called on tourists to take proper precautions when traveling to Puerto Rico. “If travelers follow the CDC guidelines, apply bug spray with DEET, wear proper clothing and take other common-sense precautions, there’s little reason to be alarmed.”

PRTC welcomed Dr. Gluckman’s assessment, which echoes the advice of leading epidemiologist Dr. D.A. Henderson, MD, MPH, who recently called for common sense precautions as well as avoiding over-reaction and hype about Zika. “Puerto Rico has implemented a comprehensive program to help protect its nearly four million residents and five million annual visitors,” said PRTC Executive Director Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort. “By raising awareness of the educated opinions of medical experts like Dr. Gluckman, we are working to inform travelers of the facts versus the fear about Zika, so they can have a worry-free experience when visiting Puerto Rico.”

In addition, the PRTC is working closely with the CDC and the local Department of Public Health to ensure visitors are informed about Zika in Puerto Rico. The PRTC and the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) are taking every precaution possible to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds at hotels and resorts, and educate visitors about preventing mosquito bites. For more information about the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, visit PuertoRicoNow.SeePuertoRico.com.

About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160426/360380LOGO

(Español) Natalia Denegri regresa con nuevos retos internacionales!

August 16, 2016

0

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Discovery en Español Gets Into The Eye-Popping World Of Leading Automotive Designer Will Castro

August 16, 2016

0

Will Castro, designer and protagonist of Discovery en Espanol's series 'Autos unicos con Will Castro', with celebrity guest John Leguizamo.

MIAMI, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — When music, entertainment, and sports celebrities want to customize their cars they always go with the best: Will Castro. Together with his team, the renowned Puerto Rican designer and innovator turns ordinary autos into extraordinary four-wheeled works of art. AUTOS ÚNICOS CON WILL CASTRO premieres August 29 and will air every Monday at 8PM E/5PM P during the Lunes de Motores de Discovery en Español block.

Each episode highlights Will’s and his Team Unique’s amazing skills as they combine style and an impeccable crafted production to create custom autos for a global client base of the biggest stars of Hollywood, music and sports. This first season will feature the following celebrities and professional A-list athletes who visit the Long Island shop in search of their dream car:

John Leguizamo, actor, comedian, and producer
Carmelo Anthony, NY Knicks basketball player and NBA superstar
Jason Derulo, singer, songwriter, and dancer
Odell Beckham Jr., American football player
Austin Mahone, singer and composer
Busta Rhymes, GRAMMY award nominee hip-hop artist
Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, professional boxer and former WBO middleweight champion

For more about network programming, please follow us on facebook.com/discoveryenespanol, Twitter @DiscoveryenESP, Instagram @discoveryenespanol and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/discoveryenespanol.

About Discovery en Español
Discovery en Español connects Spanish-speaking viewers in the U.S. to the world and all its wonder and possibilities. It provides quality programming focusing on bold storytelling across core genres including adventure, ingenuity, natural history, investigation and current affairs. Created by Discovery Communications, Discovery en Español is widely distributed on Hispanic tier packages throughout the country. For more information, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/discoveryenespanol, Twitter @DiscoveryenESP, Instagram @discoveryenespanol and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/discoveryenespanol.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160816/398554

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130221/MM64644LOGO

American Lung Association in California’s Doctors for Climate Health Campaign says Climate Change is Worsening California’s Air Quality Crisis

August 16, 2016

0

Dr. Felix Aguilar is one of the American Lung Association in California's Doctors for Climate Health.

SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Dozens of doctors from around California have joined forces to declare that our state’s air quality is in critical condition and action must be taken to address climate change and air pollution to reduce impacts on public health.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160815/398324

This week, the Doctors for Climate Health Campaign, organized by the American Lung Association in California, launched an online ad campaign to call attention to the need for comprehensive climate change policies in California.

“California has some of the worst air quality in the country with nearly 80 percent of our citizens living with unhealthy air pollution,” said Olivia Diaz-Lapham, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in California. “The Doctors for Climate Health Campaign calls attention to the connections between climate change and air pollution and the need for strong policies to reduce greenhouse gases and super pollutants.”

Super pollutants, or short-lived carbon climate pollutants, include black carbon from diesel engines and wood smoke, and methane from landfills and dairies. Reducing these emissions is critical to improving our air quality and lung health. While super pollutants stay in the atmosphere for a relatively short time, their damage can be hundreds of thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide emissions.

The Doctors for Climate Health ads feature Dr. Felix Aguilar, a family practice physician who regularly administers breathing treatments to his patients in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles region has the worst ozone pollution in the country and ranks fourth nationwide for particle pollution. Rising temperatures, droughts, wildfires and other extreme events due to climate change are further damaging our air quality and health.

“As doctors, we know that clean air is essential for lung health” said Dr. Aguilar. “We need to focus on cleaning up our air so that all Californians can breathe easier, especially those with asthma, COPD and other lung and heart illnesses.”

Reducing super pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions would save California billions of dollars in health care costs, reduce the number of emergency room and hospital visits, lower asthma rates, and most importantly save thousands of lives every year.

The Doctors for Climate Health ads will run in several online publications including the Sacramento Bee and Los Angeles Times.

To learn more about our doctors and health professionals and join their call to end the threat of climate change and clean up California’s air pollution, click here.

Be a part of the conversation online and share this urgent call for climate action from the American Lung Association in California. Visit our Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #ClimateHealth.

About the American Lung Association in California
The American Lung Association in California is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. The Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to improve the air we breathe, to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association in California or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-685-4872) or visit www.lung.org/california

Media Contact: Ryan Endean | (916) 585-7666 | [email protected]

Beneful® Gives Dogs & Their Owners Even More To Love With New Dry Dog Food Recipes

August 16, 2016

0

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After listening to dog owners and working with its team of pet nutritionists, Beneful® is unveiling new recipes across its dry dog food line, offering real meat as the first ingredient in the chicken and beef varieties and eliminating added sugar across the board. The changes – an evolution more than two years in the making – give dogs more of what their owners are looking for in their dog’s food without compromising nutrition or sacrificing the delicious taste or variety of textures that keeps millions of Beneful dogs running back to the bowl day after day.

“Exceeding the expectations of dog owners and their furry friends will always be the top priority for the Beneful team, and we’ve heard loud and clear what consumers love about Beneful and how we can make it better,” said Brent Gleckler, Beneful brand director and owner of Louie the Bolognese. “Our new dry food recipes are a reflection of the feedback we’ve gotten, and they’ve met the high standards of not only our nutritionists, but our own dogs who eat Beneful every day.”

In addition to making real meat the number one ingredient in its beef and chicken varieties, removing added sugar, and making other changes to simplify ingredient lists and address dog owner desires, the new Beneful dry dog food recipes feature 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for each life stage that includes:

22 grams or more of protein per cup;
23 essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health; and,
Accents of real vegetables and fruits, like spinach, peas, carrots and apples.

The new Beneful dry dog foods will be available nationwide by the end of August at the same price point as the previous recipes, so consumers get more real meat without paying more for the food their dog will love. Most varieties are widely available in 3.5 lb., 6.3 lb., 13 lb., 15.5 lb., 31.1 lb., 40 lb., and 44 lb. bags.

Also beginning this month, Beneful is featuring real dog owners and their dogs in its national advertising campaign to talk about the new dry food formulas. To join the conversation, connect with Beneful on Facebook via Facebook.com/Beneful, or @Beneful on Twitter and Instagram.

Transitioning To the New Dog Food Recipes
Because dogs can be sensitive to change, especially when it comes to food, even dog owners who currently feed their dog Beneful will want to gradually transition to the new Beneful recipes over the course of 7-10 days as they would for any new type of food by gradually adding more of the new food and less of the old food into the bowl. Beneful offers some helpful dog feeding tips and tricks on Beneful.com to help dog owners make the transition smoothly.

The Beneful Guarantee
Dog owners have plenty of choices for what to feed their best buddies, and the Beneful team stands behind the quality of its foods with a money-back guarantee. If for any reason a dog owner isn’t completely satisfied with the new recipes, Beneful will issue a full refund. Visit Beneful.com/guarantee for full details on the money-back guarantee.

Visit Beneful.com to learn more about Beneful’s variety of wet and dry dog foods and treats, and the Beneful team’s commitment to improving dog-loving communities across the country through the Beneful Dream Dog Park Project.

About Beneful Brand Dog Food
Manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Beneful brand dog food offers a full line of wet and dry formulas that offer a perfect balance of taste and nutrition. Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premier global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160816/398421LOGO

Broadway Icon Chita Rivera Supports Puerto Rico In Its Mission To Fight Zika With Fact Not Fear

August 16, 2016

0

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The incomparable Broadway legend and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Chita Rivera, has put her support behind the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and its effort to allay travelers’ fears about the Zika virus in Puerto Rico and provide factual information to help travelers make informed travel decisions. In collaboration with the PRTC, Rivera, who takes great pride in her Puerto Rican heritage, recorded a heartwarming video recalling her experiences in Puerto Rico, highlighting some of the things she loves about the island and encouraging travelers to set aside all unnecessary fear and visit the jewel of the Caribbean.

Video – http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/chitarivera.mp4

“I chose and choose Puerto Rico to visit and live,” Rivera said, “because of its beauty, music, rainforest, food, casinos, first class resorts, restaurants, and of course, it’s warm and welcoming people…and it’s only three hours away from New York!”

Regarding the Zika virus, she suggests that “You can take the proper precautions: apply insect repellent carefully, keep screen doors and windows closed, and keep the air conditioning on. As long as you’re not pregnant, or trying to conceive, you have nothing to fear from the Zika virus.”

PRTC Executive Director, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, praised Rivera’s involvement and echoed her sentiments about informed, worry-free travel to the island: “Throughout her amazing career, Ms. Rivera has shared her love of Puerto Rico often, and it is an honor to have her lend her voice in support of the PRTC’s educational efforts today. While we are doing everything in our power to protect visitors and ensure they are able to have a worry-free experience on the island, it is important to reinforce the CDC’s message that travelers who are pregnant or planning a child should avoid areas with active Zika transmission, but with a few simple precautions, all others can have a worry-free experience in beautiful Puerto Rico.”

PRTC has been working with the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association and other industry partners for the implementation of an aggressive educational and preventive campaign to ensure that hotels and tourist attractions are actively spraying to control mosquito populations, maintaining strict, preventive grounds-keeping practices, and training employees to recognize and deal with potential mosquito breeding grounds on their respective properties.

To find out more about what the PRTC and its partners are doing to fight Zika in Puerto Rico, visit: http://puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com/.

About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

About Chita Rivera
An accomplished and versatile actress/singer/dancer, Chita Rivera has won two Tony Awards and received eight additional Tony nominations for an exceptional 10 Tony nominations. She was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2009, and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 and was the first Hispanic woman ever chosen to receive this award. Her starring roles on Broadway include West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink, Chicago, Jerry’s Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Dancer’s Life, The Visit and many more. Last year Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ To Do, a retrospective on her extraordinary life and career on PBS. Chita’s current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160426/360380LOGO

(Español) Dispositivos médicos que tratan la obesidad: qué hay que saber

August 16, 2016

0

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

NASA Policy Could Slash Federal Funds to Florida Small Businesses, ASBL Reports

August 16, 2016

0

PETALUMA, California, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A new policy NASA is proposing could dramatically slash the volume of federal contract dollars going to small businesses in Florida. The proposed policy could have a significant negative impact on the states middle class economy. The aerospace industry is a major source of jobs and federal contracts in Florida but that could change if the new NASA policy is adopted.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160815/398367LOGO

One of the nation’s leading experts on federal contracting law, Professor Charles Tiefer has issued an ominous legal opinion on the proposed NASA Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative policy. Professor Tiefer served as a Commissioner on the Congressionally chartered, independent Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The title of Tiefer’s legal opinion is, “Proposed Regulations Illegally Authorize ‘Strategic Sourcing” to Massively Reduce the Breadth of Contracting with Small Businesses”.

The legal opinion on the proposed NASA policy states, “The proposed regulations would reduce the breadth of small business contracting by up to 80% or even 90% in lines of business where small business contracting is currently common. This proposal is blatant and undeniably illegal; indeed, the proposal impliedly admits the key facts underlying the illegality”.

In his Conclusion Professor Tiefer states, “The proposal should be junked. It would have an overwhelming bad impact on the breadth of small business contracting, contrary to the intent of the small business laws”.

If adopted, the NASA policy could force thousands of Florida small business out of the federal marketplace and possibly out of business. The dramatic reduction in the volume of federal contracting dollars flowing to Florida small businesses could cost the state millions of jobs.

The American Small Business League (ASBL) has launched a national campaign to oppose the policy proposed by NASA, the Pentagon and the General Services Administration (GSA).

In 2007 the ASBL successfully sued NASA under the Freedom of Information Act and forced the agency to release documents that uncovered NASA had cheated small businesses out of millions in contracts.

The ASBL has filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in San Francisco asking the court to grant an injunction to stop federal agencies from diverting federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, Fox News have all reported on the fraud. The Miami Herald has closely followed the issue for thirteen years and has published a dozen stories on the fraud and corruption in federal small business contracting programs beginning in 2003.

The ASBL is advising all those opposing the NASA policy to contact their Congressmen, Senators and the Governor’s office to express their concerns. The public only has until August 19 to submit comments to the federal government opposing the policy. Comments can be submitted to:

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/06/20/2016-14412/federal-acquisition-regulation-strategic-sourcing-documentation

Contact:
Jeanne Spatola
[email protected]
707-789-9575

The Home Depot Announces Second Quarter Results

August 16, 2016

0

ATLANTA, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $26.5 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2016, a 6.6 percent increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Comparable store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 were positive 4.7 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 5.4 percent.

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 were $2.4 billion, or $1.97 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.2 billion, or $1.73 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2015. For the second quarter of fiscal 2016, diluted earnings per share increased 13.9 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“We had a solid quarter, achieving the highest quarterly sales and net earnings results in company history as housing continues to be a tailwind for our business,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “This was made possible by our hard working associates in their continued dedication to our customers.”

Updated Fiscal 2016 Guidance

The Company reaffirmed its fiscal 2016 sales guidance and expects sales will be up approximately 6.3 percent and comp sales will be up approximately 4.9 percent. The Company raised its diluted earnings-per-share guidance for the year and now expects diluted earnings per share to grow approximately 15.6 percent from fiscal 2015 to $6.31.

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 earnings.homedepot.com.

At the end of the second quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,275 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 385,000 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 store sales; effects of competition; state of the economy; state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; demand for credit offerings; inventory and in-stock positions; implementation of store, interconnected retail and supply chain initiatives; management of relationships with our suppliers and vendors; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation, including those related to the 2014 data breach; issues related to the payment methods we accept; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2016 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of Interline Brands, Inc. into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the acquisition. 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 31, 2016 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. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2016 AND AUGUST 2, 2015 (Unaudited) (Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Data and as Otherwise Noted)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015		% Increase (Decrease)		July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015		% Increase (Decrease)
NET SALES	$	26,472	$	24,829	6.6	%	$	49,234	$	45,720	7.7	%
Cost of Sales	17,545		16,464		6.6		32,516		30,176		7.8
GROSS PROFIT	8,927		8,365		6.7		16,718		15,544		7.6
Operating Expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative	4,388		4,299		2.1		8,669		8,462		2.4
Depreciation and Amortization	436		419		4.1		869		838		3.7
Total Operating Expenses	4,824		4,718		2.2		9,538		9,300		2.6
OPERATING INCOME	4,103		3,647		12.5		7,180		6,244		15.0
Interest and Other (Income) Expense:
Interest and Investment Income	(8)		(149)		(94.6)		(15)		(153)		(90.2)
Interest Expense	236		233		1.3		480		430		11.6
Interest and Other, net	228		84		N/M		465		277		67.9
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	3,875		3,563		8.8		6,715		5,967		12.5
Provision for Income Taxes	1,434		1,329		7.9		2,471		2,154		14.7

NET EARNINGS	$	2,441	$	2,234	9.3	%	$	4,244	$	3,813	11.3	%

Weighted Average Common Shares	1,235		1,283		(3.7)	%	1,242		1,291		(3.8)	%
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.98	$	1.74	13.8		$	3.42	$	2.95	15.9

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares	1,240		1,289		(3.8)	%	1,247		1,298		(3.9)	%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.97	$	1.73	13.9		$	3.40	$	2.94	15.6

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
SELECTED SALES DATA⁽¹⁾	July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015		% Increase (Decrease)		July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015		% Increase (Decrease)
Number of Customer Transactions	430.0		420.4		2.3	%	804.8		780.6		3.1	%
Average Ticket (actual)	$	60.87	$	59.42	2.4		$	60.48	$	59.04	2.4
Sales per Square Foot (actual)	$	438.61	$	420.37	4.3		$	407.64	$	387.04	5.3
————— (1) Selected Sales Data does not include results for the Interline acquisition that was completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. N/M – Not Meaningful

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JULY 31, 2016, AUGUST 2, 2015 AND JANUARY 31, 2016 (Unaudited) (Amounts in Millions)

	July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015 ⁽¹⁾		January 31, 2016 ⁽¹⁾
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	4,018	$	4,936	$	2,216
Receivables, net	1,995		1,696		1,890
Merchandise Inventories	12,323		11,859		11,809
Other Current Assets	605		586		569
Total Current Assets	18,941		19,077		16,484
Property and Equipment, net	21,975		22,302		22,191
Goodwill	2,106		1,340		2,102
Other Assets	1,225		557		1,196
TOTAL ASSETS	$	44,247	$	43,276	$	41,973

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Short-Term Debt	$	—	$	—	$	350
Accounts Payable	8,273		7,495		6,565
Accrued Salaries and Related Expenses	1,453		1,384		1,515
Current Installments of Long-Term Debt	43		3,056		77
Other Current Liabilities	4,756		4,462		4,017
Total Current Liabilities	14,525		16,397		12,524
Long-Term Debt, excluding current installments	20,900		16,221		20,789
Other Long-Term Liabilities	2,165		2,021		2,344
Total Liabilities	37,590		34,639		35,657
Total Stockholders’ Equity	6,657		8,637		6,316
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	44,247	$	43,276	$	41,973

————— (1) The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 2, 2015 and January 31, 2016 were retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” and ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2016 AND AUGUST 2, 2015 (Unaudited) (Amounts in Millions)

	Six Months Ended
	July 31, 2016		August 2, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings	$	4,244	$	3,813
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	978		915
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	133		122
Gain on Sales of Investments	—		(144)
Changes in Working Capital and Other	1,522		1,228
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	6,877		5,934
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures	(697)		(705)
Proceeds from Sales of Investments	—		144
Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment	23		8
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(674)		(553)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of Short-Term Borrowings, net	(350)		(290)
Proceeds from Long-Term Borrowings, net of discounts	2,989		2,492
Repayments of Long-Term Debt	(3,023)		(19)
Repurchases of Common Stock	(2,441)		(3,085)
Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock	121		134
Cash Dividends Paid to Stockholders	(1,718)		(1,533)
Other Financing Activities	1		161
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(4,421)		(2,140)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,782		3,241
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	20		(28)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	2,216		1,723
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	4,018	$	4,936

Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO

Jamberry To Expand Economic Opportunity For Women In Mexico

August 15, 2016

0

AMERICAN FORK, Utah, Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Jamberry is now extending their successful business to Mexico – their second major international market expansion in 2016. Mexico residents will be eligible to become Jamberry Independent Consultants and order product online beginning late 2016.

Created by women, for women, Jamberry’s mission is to extend economic opportunity to all women and their families. Boasting a thriving network of over 100,000 Independent Consultants throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, Australia and New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, Jamberry’s empowering business model aims to enhance women’s lives and give women around the world flexibility to earn income on their schedule.

“What started as a way to provide a more economical, do-it-yourself manicure by three sisters, has turned into a business opportunity designed to empower women,” explains Misty Bastian, Director of Communications. “By providing an ever expanding line of products, ongoing support, networking, and training, Jamberry helps position our Consultants to grow and achieve success, while making life beautiful for themselves and others.”

Jamberry Independent Consultants grow their businesses by selling through in-person and virtual parties. These parties are entertaining and engaging, allowing women to learn about and sample Jamberry’s products.

Jamberry is the destination for self-expression through our patented and unique nail wraps. Each sheet of nail wraps yields two to three manicures or pedicures and retails for MXN 300.

For more information about the brand, please visit jamberry.com. For more information and to express intent to join Jamberry in Mexico, please visit www.jamberry.com.mx. Find Jamberry and their passionate community of nail lovers @jamberrynails on Facebook and @jamberry on Instagram and Pinterest.

About Jamberry
Sisters Keri Evans, Christy Hepworth and Lyndsey Ekstrom launched Jamberry in 2010 for women just like themselves who want fun, manicured nails that last throughout their busy days. Today Jamberry is a leader in both nail art and nail technology, with nail wraps that are applied at home with an innovative heat and pressure technique. The brand also offers salon-quality nail lacquer and a complete hand care line. Jamberry products are sold online and through a network of over 100,000 independent consultants across the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Jen Monteleone
Jamberry
[email protected]