Topic: Growth Stocks

Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, August 15, 2014

Article Excerpt

WAL-MART STORES INC., $73.90, New York symbol WMT, continues to face strong competition in the U.S. from other discount retailers, particularly dollar stores. However, sales and earnings continue to rise at its overseas outlets. In the second quarter of its 2015 fiscal year, which ended July 31, 2014, Wal-Mart’s earnings fell 3.4%, to $3.9 billion from $4.1 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings declined 1.6%, to $1.21 from $1.23, on fewer shares outstanding. That matched the consensus estimate. Revenue rose 2.8%, to $120.1 billion from $116.8 billion, beating the consensus forecast of $119.0 billion. If you disregard unfavourable currency rates, Wal-Mart’s sales would have risen 3.4%. Sales at the company’s U.S. stores, which supply 59% of the total, rose 2.7%, but same-store sales were flat. The international outlets’ sales (28% of the total) gained 3.1%, while sales at the Sam’s Club warehouse stores (13%) rose 2.3%. Wal-Mart continues to open more of its smaller-format Neighborhood Market stores. In the latest quarter, same-store sales rose…