Wal-Mart Profit Slides A Little In 3rd Q, Though Sales Improve

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported third quarter profit of $3.7 billion, a decrease of 0.7 percent, on sales of $118.1 billion, up 2.8 percent over last year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.15, or 0.9 percent above last year's $1.14.  The quarter’s performance was affected negatively by about $396 million in currency exchange rate fluctuations. The company said its 3rd quarter earnings per share were “solid”, thanks to including the strong performance from Neighborhood Markets, a 21 percent increase in e-commerce sales globally and healthy profit from Sam's Club and in international business. The company said it needs to strengthen sales growth and “improve the customer experience, both in stores and online”.