Wal-Mart beats analysts’ forecasts

Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Thursday stated a 2.6 percent rise in sales, excluding fuel; at U.S. stores open at least a year in February.

Photo: Wal-Mart beats analysts’ forecasts

Analysts, on average, were expecting the company to report a rise of 1.1 percent, while the company had forecast same-store sales to be between flat and up 2 percent.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is an American public corporation that runs a chain of large, discount department stores. It is the world's largest public corporation by revenue, according to the 2007 Fortune Global 500.

Wal-Mart is the largest grocery retailer in the United States , with an estimated 20% of the retail grocery and consumables business, as well as the largest toy seller in the U.S., with an estimated 22% share of the toy market.

Wal-Mart's operations primarily comprise three retailing subsidiaries: Wal-Mart Stores Division U.S., Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart International. The company does business in nine different retail formats: super centers, food and drugs, general merchandise stores, bodegas (small markets), cash and carry stores, membership warehouse clubs, apparel stores, soft discount stores and restaurants.

The world's biggest retailer said net sales in the month ended February 29 rose 8.9 percent to $29.19 billion.