Wal-Mart posts 3.16-billion-dollar profit, up 16 percent

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

BENTONVILLE, United States (AFP) — Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, said its most recent quarterly profit increased 16.2 percent from a year ago to 3.16 billion dollars, propelled by strong international sales.

The profit amounted to 75 cents a share, a penny better than the average analyst forecast based on a survey by Thomson Financial First Call.

In the fourth fiscal quarter to January 31, revenues increased by 10.4 percent to 82.2 billion dollars, with a lift from currency effects. But that was slightly below the First Call estimate of 82.8 billion dollars.

The retail powerhouse said that same-store sales in the United States were up 1.5 percent, including a 1.4 percent rise at Wal-Mart stores and a two percent increase at its Sam's Club warehouse...