WalMart reported a higher quarterly profit as the world's biggest retailer clamped down on inventory and controlled expenses, but forecast earnings for the current period that could miss current Wall Street estimates.
Profit for the third quarter ended October 31st rose to $3.23 billion, or 84 cents per share, from $3.14 billion, or 80 cents per share, a year earlier.
WalMart had forecast earnings per share from continuing operations of 78 cents to 82 cents.
Sales rose 1.1 per cent to $98.67 billion. Sales at US stores open at least a year fell 0.4 per cent.
WalMart forecast fourth-quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.08 to $1.12.
Shares of WalMart were down 0.7 per cent at $52.62 in trading before the market opened.
Reuters