Scrumptious Honey Makes Anytime Grilling Sweet And Memorable

August 19, 2015

1391723 Fruit Picture — Honey Glazed Grilled Fruit Salad

Scrumptious Honey Makes Anytime Grilling Sweet And Memorable

Chef Michell Sanchez creates a selection of sweet & savory dishes

to share with family and friends on behalf of the National Honey Board

FIRESTONE, Colo., Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With the summer barbecuing season quickly coming to a close, families throughout the country are trying to enjoy every last good meal they can outdoors and on the grill. To help cooks add an irresistibly sweet note to any grilled entrée, side or even dessert, the National Honey Board has partnered with award-winning grilling expert, restauranteur and bilingual TV personality, Chef Michell Sanchez, to offer his best honey-inspired recipes and grilling tips to make end of summer barbecues flavorfully impressive and memorable.

Using only the freshest high-quality proteins, fruits and vegetables at his restaurant, Latin House Grill in Miami, Sanchez creates unforgettable mouthwatering meals using nature’s golden sweetener as an emulsifier in sauces and glazes over an open flame. For this campaign, he kicks up his grilling creations to new heights by balancing all his recipes with honey’s unique flavor profile, either alone or combined with other natural ingredients, in both sweet and savory offerings.

“My usage of honey on the grill goes far back into my childhood,” shared Sanchez, whose uncle is a local honey bottler in South Florida. “It’s a quick and easy natural addition for any marinade or glaze. It not only creates a contrast of flavors over an open fire, but it also adds and locks in moisture when used on meat. The distinct taste and crunchiness that honey creates as it caramelizes will leave your guests craving more.”

Primarily thought of only as sweetener, Sanchez noted that honey’s culinary versatility is endless, boosting the flavor in any recipe. Paired with his creativity in the kitchen and love for grilling, Sanchez shares his favorite naturally sweetened dishes exclusively available on www.mielpura.org, as well as on his social media platforms. Among Sanchez’s succulent grilled creations are:

Grilled Tiger Shrimp with Mango-Habanero-Honey & Papaya Slaw

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
1 lb large Tiger shrimp, about 16-20 shrimp
2 tbsp honey
2 whole mangos, peeled and cubed for puree
1 orange Habanero pepper
1 green papaya
2 limes
Salt to taste

Directions:
Clean, devein and slightly butterfly shrimp, leaving shell and tails on, cover in bowl and set in refrigerator. Using a blender add honey, mango, Habanero, and a squeeze of lime. Blend for 2 minutes adding a pinch of salt and blending for 1 minute more. Preheat grill to 350 degrees. Using a mandolin with teeth, shred papaya and toss with spoonful of honey, lime juice from 1 lime and add salt to taste. Cover and set aside. Wipe grill with vegetable oil on a clean cloth and place shrimp on grill for 3 minutes each side. Remove from grill and serve over fresh papaya slaw.

Honey Glazed Grilled Fruit Salad

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
1 large watermelon
1 pineapple
1 Honeydew melon
8 Mission figs
1 cup orange juice
1 cup honey
2 limes
Pinch of salt
Chile fruit seasoning
Wooden skewers, soaked in water

Directions:
Peel and slice watermelon, pineapple and Honeydew into 1 inch chunks and figs in half. Preheat grill to medium heat and wipe grill with halved lime. Place cut fruit into large mixing bowl, and pour orange juice over and toss with a pinch of salt. Assemble fruit into kabobs by piercing it through the soaked skewer and stacking the fruit, alternating as you go. Leave at least 2 inches of space on blunt end of the skewer to handle kabob safely while grilling. Place fruit on hot grill, turning on each side every three minutes. Remove from grill and drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chile fruit seasoning. Serve warm on the skewer.

To optimize the outdoor cooking experience, Sanchez also shares his best tips when marinating and grilling with honey on www.mielpura.org to make the experience lip-smacking and flawless, from start to finish. All honey grilling recipes and tips are available at www.mielpura.org.

About Chef Michell Sanchez
Born in Havana, Cuba, Chef Michell Sanchez has grown up in the kitchen, learning about the deep connection between family and food. Sanchez’s rich family history in both the restaurant and honey industry made a huge impact on his life, beckoning him to launch his own culinary venture as the owner and Executive Chef of Latin House Grill in Miami. Priding himself in presenting authentic food filled with lots of passion and zest, Sanchez has garnered local and world praise. He has been a featured guest on numerous morning shows and on the Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.” His team has also attained countless awards including the South Beach Food and Wine Festival’s “Burger Bash,” hosted by celebrity chef Rachael Ray.

About the National Honey Board
The National Honey Board is an industry-funded agriculture promotion group that works to educate consumers about the benefits and uses for honey and honey products through research, marketing and promotional programs. For more info, visit www.mielpura.org.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution image is available at: http://hispanicprwire.com/en/multimedia/

New Book Details Successful Program To Prevent Preterm Birth

August 19, 2015

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New Book Details Successful Program To Prevent Preterm Birth

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Details of a program that successfully reduced preterm birth are available for health care professionals in a new book from the March of Dimes.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO

Thousands more babies were born full-term in Kentucky after the Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait® program successfully was piloted there. The program, which was aimed at preventing preterm birth and giving women the information they need to make healthy decisions during pregnancy, now has been expanded to other states. Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait®: A Collaborative Partnership to Reduce Preterm Births in Kentucky Through Community-Based Interventions, 2007-2009, describes this innovative initiative, developed by the March of Dimes and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute (now Johnson & Johnson Corporate Contributions) to respond to an alarming rise in the preterm birth rate in the United States that peaked in 2006.

Data published in the book demonstrate that HBWW achieved a statistically significant reduction in preterm birth rates over 60 months, not only in the intervention sites in Kentucky but also in the comparison sites and the remainder of that state. It provided evidence for an effective program that is now being applied in other communities, including Kentucky, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

“We’re honored to be part of the creation of Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait, which adopts a comprehensive community-based approach to prevent preterm birth,” says Joy Marini, Executive Director at Johnson & Johnson, “Mothers and children are the heart of Johnson & Johnson. The success of this program has inspired us to continue efforts in preterm birth prevention and care around the world, including support of the expansion of Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait in the US.”

The book can be purchased online at http://www.elsevier.com/books.

Today, the preterm birth rate in the U.S. has fallen to 9.6 percent. However, preterm birth still affects 380,000 babies – or 1 in 10 – each year, and is the number one killer of newborns.

“To give every baby a healthy start in life, we must increase best practices in preconception and pregnancy care, and promote community-based programs such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.

Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait programs include consumer and professional education, public health interventions that augment existing public health services, and clinical interventions in the preconception and prenatal periods. The program seeks not only to decrease preterm births but also to change the attitudes and behaviors of providers and consumers regarding risk factors for “preventable” preterm birth.

Caring for the world, one person at a time, Johnson & Johnson has envisioned a world in which women and children are healthy and thrive. This belief, grounded in our Credo responsibility to communities around the world, has inspired our decades – long commitment to the health and well – being of women and children. Working with our partners, we bring health care expertise and assets to help achieve life–changing, long – term improvements that help people and communities to attain their greatest potential.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Iowa Teacher who Lost 60 lbs. Eating McDonald’s Documents His Experiment in New Documentary “540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference”

August 18, 2015

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Iowa Teacher who Lost 60 lbs. Eating McDonald’s Documents His Experiment in New Documentary “540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference”

John Cisna Shares His Story with Local Educators and Community Leaders

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, John Cisna, the Iowa high-school teacher who lost 60 pounds eating only McDonald’s food for six months, met with educators, media and community leaders to share details of his story and documentary, “540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference.” His 20-minute film documents the experiment that Cisna conducted, independent of McDonald’s, to teach his sophomore students the importance of choices in their lives. The documentary about Cisna, who now serves as an official McDonald’s brand ambassador, is available for high school educators looking for information to demonstrate the importance of balanced food choices. For more information, New York Tri-State area educators can contact their local McDonald’s restaurant owner or visit www.mcdonaldsnytristate.com.

The film, “540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference,” documents Cisna’s journey and can be used in the classroom to help students learn that balance and choice can be applied anywhere, whether it be at a fast food restaurant or at the grocery store or in the high school cafeteria.

“We understand that there is a lot of information out there that fuels the common misperception that McDonald’s has limited food and beverage choices that can be part of a balanced meal. We are excited that John Cisna is sharing his story that addresses it isn’t where you eat, but what and how much that matters as well as how much you exercise,” said Paul Hendel, McDonald’s restaurant owner. “We believe it’s important that consumers, including students, have all the information needed in order to make balanced food choices, whether eating in our restaurants, or elsewhere.”

When the local McDonald’s restaurant learned of the experiment, the franchisee provided Cisna with meals for free. During the experiment, Cisna’s students thoughtfully planned a daily menu for Cisna using nutrition information available on the McDonald’s web site to ensure he made choices consistent with his diet and lifestyle needs, specifically:

Students ensured that each day, Cisna stayed within a 2,000 calorie limit
Students tracked Cisna’s daily intake of 15 key nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins and fat
Cisna incorporated regular exercise, and began walking at least 45 minutes 4-5 days a week

After eating 540 carefully planned meals from McDonald’s, Cisna lost 60 pounds, improved his blood pressure and decreased his cholesterol, demonstrating how making balanced meal choices and incorporating regular exercise can help achieve your goals.

“We do not recommend that anyone eat every meal at one restaurant every day for an extended period. No one is suggesting that eating at McDonald’s will result in any health benefit. Rather, John’s story is about making informed and balanced choices no matter where you chose to eat,” added Hendel.

McDonald’s New York Tri-State Area

McDonald’s is one of the world’s best-known brands and is a global leader in food service. There are more than 600 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by over 100 franchisees, located throughout the New York Tri-State Area, New Jersey, and Fairfield County in Connecticut. Visit www.mcdonaldsnytristate.com or follow us on Twitter @McDNYTriState for information about other McDonald’s area program. For additional information visit www.sabiasquemcdny.com a program focused on sharing facts about McDonald’s good food.

Shorter Women Have Shorter Pregnancies

August 18, 2015

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Shorter Women Have Shorter Pregnancies

March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center – Ohio Collaborative Investigates Mothers’ Height and Risk for Preterm Birth

WHITE PLAINS, New York, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Shorter mothers have shorter pregnancies, smaller babies, and higher risk for a preterm birth. New research has found that a mother’s height directly influences her risk for preterm birth.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO

Investigators at the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative looked at 3,485 Nordic women and their babies, and found that maternal height, which is determined by genetic factors, helped shape the fetal environment, influencing the length of pregnancy and frequency of prematurity. In contrast, birth length and birth weight are mainly influenced by transmitted genes.

Preterm birth is the number one killer of newborns in the United States and serious gaps exist between racial and ethnic groups. More than 450,000 babies are born too soon in the U.S. and the national preterm birth rate is worse than many other high-resource countries, the March of Dimes says. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born preterm, and more than one million die due to complications of an early birth. Babies who survive an early birth face serious and lifelong health problems, including breathing problems, jaundice, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays.

“A major goal of the nationwide network of March of Dimes prematurity research centers is identifying genes that govern fetal growth and length of pregnancy. That a woman’s height influences gestational length, independent of the genes she passes on that determine fetal size, is a major finding by our research networks, and the first of what we expect to be many genetic contributions,” said Joe Leigh Simpson, MD, March of Dimes senior vice president for Research and Global Programs.

“The innovative, team-based model of our prematurity research centers is critical to understanding the unknown causes of preterm birth. This new finding adds one small piece toward solving the much larger puzzle of preterm birth,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes is raising $75 million to support its five prematurity research centers. These unique, transdisciplinary centers bring together the brightest minds from many diverse disciplines — geneticists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists, engineers, computer scientists, and others — to work together to find answers to prevent premature birth. In addition to the Ohio Collaborative, the March of Dimes has established research centers at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, at the University of Pennsylvania, at Washington University in St. Louis, and at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and Duke University.

“Our finding shows that a mother’s height has a direct impact on how long her pregnancy lasts,” said Louis Muglia, MD, PhD, the primary investigator of the Ohio Collaborative, and co-director of the Perinatal Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “The explanation for why this happens is unclear but could depend not only on unknown genes but also on woman’s lifetime of nutrition and her environment.”

The research paper, “Assessing the Causal Relationship of Maternal Height on Birth Size and Gestational Age at Birth: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis,” was published online Aug. 18 by PLoS Medicine.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Visit prematurityresearch.org for more information about the research centers. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

HITN Teams Up with KIDS FIRST! to offer the inaugural Film Critics Summer Boot Camp

August 18, 2015

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HITN Teams Up with KIDS FIRST! to offer the inaugural Film Critics Summer Boot Camp

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) the first Hispanic Public Television Network in the US has partnered with KIDS FIRST! to offer kids in New York City the opportunity to participate in the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Boot Camp at HITN’s Brooklyn headquarters.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141114/158806LOGO

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Boot Camp hosts children between the ages of 10-15 and embarks each child in the world of film. Instructed by leading producers, directors and filmmakers, these select children have the chance to become red carpet film critics through this unique star-making instructional program.

As part of the program, HITN awarded three scholarships to children in the Brooklyn, NY community. The attendees learned a variety of behind-the-scenes skills of the film industry as they watched and critiqued the latest films, wrote reviews, and developed on-camera reporting and interview techniques. In addition, each child had the opportunity to work in front of the camera at HITN’s studios.

“HITN continues its commitment with education and we work with organizations like KIDS FIRST! to provide unique educational experiences to the community, we are pleased to have hosted KIDS FIRST! and look forward to continue working with this great organization in the future,” said HITN CEO, Mike Nieves.

“All of us at KIDS FIRST! are so appreciative of the support from HITN to make this camp a success. From providing scholarships to creating imaginative activities to assisting in coaching the kids throughout the week, the HITN staff always rose to the occasion. These students all came away with a new respect for what it takes to present on camera and to put their thoughts into words that others can understand,” said Ranny Levy – Founder and President KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media.

For more information about the camp and scholarships, go to http://www.kidsfirst.org To find HITN in your community go to http://www.hitn.org/en/where-to-find-hitn

About The Hispanic Information and Telecommunication Network (HITN, Inc) http://www.hitn.org/en/about-us

About KIDS First http://www.kidsfirst.org/about-us/

WHAT: HITN Teams Up with KIDS FIRST! to offer the inaugural Film Critics Summer Boot Camp

WHEN: It happened the week of August 3-9, 2015

WHERE: HITN studios in Brooklyn, New York.
To view your local cable and satellite listings for details visit:
http://www.hitn.tv/donde-ver-hitn

(Español) Tres consejos para cuidar su crédito financiero

August 18, 2015

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Goya Foods Partners With The United Soybean Board To Raise Awareness Of The Benefits Of Soy

August 18, 2015

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Goya Foods Partners With The United Soybean Board To Raise Awareness Of The Benefits Of Soy

Campaign Set to Launch in August in 500 Grocery Stores

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, is partnering with the United Soybean Board (USB) to launch a new campaign to bring awareness to the health benefits of Goya Vegetable Oil, made with 100% U.S. grown soybeans. Goya Foods is USB’s first Hispanic-focused strategic partnership.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150807/257032

Starting in August, Goya Vegetable Oil will feature a new label marked “100% Soybean Oil” prominently on the front panel of the product in both English and Spanish. Goya will kick off the first of its campaign with a combination of impactful in-store ads and displays at point-of-purchase across 500 grocery stores in the Northeast area, where sales are at its highest for Goya Vegetable Oil. The campaign will then extend nationwide.

Though many consumers are unaware, most vegetable oils currently on the market are 100% soybean based but have been generically labeled as “vegetable” since the 1960’s. USB has been successfully working with grocers and manufacturers to boost awareness and document the increase in sales that comes from capitalizing on the health halo of soybeans. A recent shopper survey revealed that 65% of shoppers were influenced by a “100% Soybean Oil” on-pack message because of the perception of “better health.”

“There is a rise in awareness for the importance of health and nutrition among the Hispanic community,” said Joseph Perez, Senior Vice President of Goya Foods. “Working with the United Soybean Board is an opportunity to educate consumers and highlight relevant benefits of a staple, multi-purpose ingredient that will inspire families to feel even better about their purchase of Goya products.”

“Case studies confirm promoting vegetable oil as 100% soybean will increase sales,” said Steve Poole, Director of Human Health & Nutrition Communications, United Soybean Board. “USB respects Goya Foods’ leadership in the Hispanic community and is excited by the partnership.”

Soybean oil is a versatile, cooking oil that offers a number of benefits without jeopardizing the taste and flavor of food. For years, media and dietitians have reported that soybean oil contains 0g trans fats per serving and is a smart source of omega-3s, which can help reduce blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Further, because soybeans contain unsaturated fats, when it is used to replace high saturated fat products such as lard, it may lower cholesterol levels.

The United Soybean Board is a farmer-led organization comprised of 70 farmer-directors. USB oversees the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. For more soy and health information, including recipes, visit www.SoyConnection.com.

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 products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

(Español) Nuevo plan Extended Nation de Telcel (M.R.) le dice adiós a la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos

August 18, 2015

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(Español) José Fernández te presenta RETA TU VIDA

August 18, 2015

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The Home Depot Announces Second Quarter Results; Raises Fiscal Year 2015 Guidance

August 18, 2015

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The Home Depot Announces Second Quarter Results; Raises Fiscal Year 2015 Guidance

ATLANTA, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $24.8 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2015, a 4.3 percent increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Comparable store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were positive 4.2 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 5.7 percent.

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $2.2 billion, or $1.73 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.1 billion, or $1.52 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2014. For the second quarter of fiscal 2015, diluted earnings per share increased 13.8 percent from the same period in the prior year.

Second quarter of fiscal 2015 results include a pretax net expense of $92 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to the Company’s 2014 data breach. This expense includes an accrual for estimated probable losses that the Company expects to incur in connection with the claims made by the payment card networks. Second quarter of fiscal 2015 results also reflect a pretax gain on sale of $144 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, related to the sale of the remaining portion of the Company’s equity ownership in HD Supply Holdings, Inc. Adjusting for these two items, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $1.71.

“We were pleased with this quarter’s results. We saw balanced growth across our business resulting from strength in the core of the store as well as the continued recovery of the U.S. housing market,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and dedication.”

Updated Fiscal 2015 Guidance

The Company has provided a range of sales, comp sales and diluted earnings-per-share growth to reflect the difference between 2014 average exchange rates and current exchange rates. The low-end of the Company’s sales, comp sales and diluted earnings-per-share growth guidance reflects the U.S. dollar remaining at current foreign exchange rates.

Based on its year-to-date performance and to reflect the planned completion of the acquisition of Interline Brands, Inc., the Company raised its fiscal 2015 sales guidance and now expects sales will grow in a range of approximately 5.2 percent to 6.0 percent and comp sales will grow in a range of approximately 4.1 percent to 4.9 percent. The Company also raised its diluted earnings-per-share guidance for the year and now expects diluted earnings per share to grow in a range of approximately 13 percent to 14 percent from fiscal 2014 to $5.31 to $5.36.

The Company’s earnings-per-share guidance reflects the benefit of the Company’s year-to-date share repurchases of $3.1 billion and the Company’s intent to repurchase an additional $3.9 billion of shares during the remainder of the year for a total of $7.0 billion.

The Company’s estimated probable losses related to the claims made by the payment card networks in connection with the data breach discovered in September 2014 are based on currently available information and expected payments associated with those claims. These estimates may change as new information becomes available or circumstances change. The accrual does not reflect liabilities from current and future civil litigation, governmental investigations and enforcement proceedings, which may have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results in a future period. The accrual also does not reflect future breach-related legal, consulting or administrative fees, which are expensed as incurred and not expected to be material in any individual period.

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 2,270 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 300,000 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 data breach; issues related to the payment methods we accept and the timing of upgrades and enhancements impacting point of sale devices; 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 2015 and beyond; financial outlook; successful closing of the Interline acquisition; and the subsequent integration of Interline 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 February 1, 2015 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 AUGUST 2, 2015 AND AUGUST 3, 2014
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Data and as Otherwise Noted)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014		% Increase (Decrease)		August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014		% Increase (Decrease)
NET SALES	$	24,829	$	23,811	4.3	%	$	45,720	$	43,498	5.1	%
Cost of Sales	16,464		15,804		4.2		30,176		28,734		5.0
GROSS PROFIT	8,365		8,007		4.5		15,544		14,764		5.3
Operating Expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative	4,299		4,146		3.7		8,462		8,213		3.0
Depreciation and Amortization	419		413		1.5		838		826		1.5
Total Operating Expenses	4,718		4,559		3.5		9,300		9,039		2.9
OPERATING INCOME	3,647		3,448		5.8		6,244		5,725		9.1
Interest and Other (Income) Expense:
Interest and Investment Income	(149)		(17)		N/M		(153)		(117)		30.8
Interest Expense	233		208		12.0		430		399		7.8
Interest and Other, net	84		191		(56.0)		277		282		(1.8)
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	3,563		3,257		9.4		5,967		5,443		9.6
Provision for Income Taxes	1,329		1,207		10.1		2,154		2,014		7.0

NET EARNINGS	$	2,234	$	2,050	9.0	%	$	3,813	$	3,429	11.2	%

Weighted Average Common Shares	1,283		1,346		(4.7)%		1,291		1,358		(4.9)	%
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.74	$	1.52	14.5		$	2.95	$	2.53	16.6

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares	1,289		1,353		(4.7)%		1,298		1,365		(4.9)	%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.73	$	1.52	13.8		$	2.94	$	2.51	17.1

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS	August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014		% Increase (Decrease)		August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014		% Increase (Decrease)
Number of Customer Transactions	420.4		409.7		2.6	%	780.6		754.2		3.5	%
Average Ticket (actual)	$	59.42	$	58.43	1.7		$	59.04	$	58.05	1.7
Sales per Square Foot (actual)	$	420.37	$	403.90	4.1		$	387.04	$	368.92	4.9

N/M – Not Meaningful

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF AUGUST 2, 2015, AUGUST 3, 2014 AND FEBRUARY 1, 2015
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in Millions)

	August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014		February 1, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	4,936	$	4,216	$	1,723
Receivables, net	1,696		1,637		1,484
Merchandise Inventories	11,859		11,665		11,079
Other Current Assets	1,040		973		1,016
Total Current Assets	19,531		18,491		15,302
Property and Equipment, net	22,302		23,126		22,720
Goodwill	1,340		1,295		1,353
Other Assets	625		567		571
TOTAL ASSETS	$	43,798	$	43,479	$	39,946

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Short-Term Debt	$	—	$	—	$	290
Accounts Payable	7,495		7,165		5,807
Accrued Salaries and Related Expenses	1,384		1,325		1,391
Current Installments of Long-Term Debt	3,057		34		38
Other Current Liabilities	4,463		4,315		3,743
Total Current Liabilities	16,399		12,839		11,269
Long-Term Debt, excluding current installments	16,318		16,702		16,869
Other Long-Term Liabilities	2,444		2,481		2,486
Total Liabilities	35,161		32,022		30,624
Total Stockholders’ Equity	8,637		11,457		9,322
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	43,798	$	43,479	$	39,946

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 2, 2015 AND AUGUST 3, 2014
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in Millions)

	Six Months Ended
	August 2, 2015		August 3, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings	$	3,813	$	3,429
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	915		896
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	122		119
Gain on Sales of Investments	(144)		(112)
Changes in Working Capital and Other	1,228		953
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	5,934		5,285
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures	(705)		(631)
Proceeds from Sales of Investments	144		112
Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment	8		16
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(553)		(503)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of Short-Term Borrowings, net	(290)		—
Proceeds from Long-Term Borrowings, net of discount	2,492		1,981
Repayments of Long-Term Debt	(19)		(21)
Repurchases of Common Stock	(3,085)		(3,500)
Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock	134		148
Cash Dividends Paid to Stockholders	(1,533)		(1,285)
Other Financing Activities	161		181
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(2,140)		(2,496)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	3,241		2,286
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(28)		1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	1,723		1,929
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	4,936	$	4,216

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