Sales and Profit Up at Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s sales and profits rose in the fourth quarter, but same-store sales fell for the period.

For the three months ended Jan. 31, income rose 4.3 percent to $5.02 billion, or $1.41 a diluted share, from continuing operations, from $4.82 billion, or $1.26, in the year-ago quarter. Sales rose 2.5 percent to $115.60 billion from $112.83 billion. Comparable-store sales for U.S. stores decreased 1.8 percent.

Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased with Wal-Mart’s strong earnings performance for both the fourth quarter and the full year across our three operating segments.

At the same time, we are disappointed by Wal-Mart U.S. fourth-quarter sales.” Duke added that Wal-Mart U.S. is implementing a four-point plan designed to deliver better results, although it will take some time to see positive comps.