(MOORESVILLE) -- Lowe’s Companies, Inc. reported second quarter net earnings of $830 million. The results were essentially flat from the same period a year ago. For the six months ended July 29, 2011, net earnings decreased 2.2 percent from the same period a year ago to $1.29 billion while diluted earnings per share increased 6.5 percent to $0.98.

“Despite some recovery in our seasonal business, our performance for the quarter fell short of our expectations,” said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “We are working diligently to improve sales and profitability in the near-term in a way that we believe will generate sustained customer preference and shareholder value. We are also building momentum in 2011 behind our longer-term commitment to deliver even better customer experiences."

The Mooresville home improvement retailer recorded second quarter sales $14.5 billion, up from $14.4 billion in the second quarter of 2010. For the six months ended July 29, 2011, sales were $26.7 billion, essentially flat from the same period a year ago.

Niblock also acknowledged that the company's store in Sanford will reopen on Sept. 8. The was rebuild after being destroyed by a tornado on April 16.