Monday, July 13, 2009

Money & Business

Wal-Mart Takes A Hit

January 08, 2009 09:27 AM ET | Kirk Shinkle | Permanent Link | Print

Even the biggest and best in retail aren't immune from the frightened consumer.

Wal-Mart's December sales rose just 1.7 percent in December, below the 2.8 percent consensus and earlier guidance from the company that sales would be in the high end of its 1-3 percent forecast.

In the fourth quarter, Wal-Mart now says it expects to earn 91-94 cents a share, down from a November forecast of $1.03 to $1.07 a share. Its shares fell nearly 8 percent before the open.

Sears Holdings and Limited Brands also posted hefty sales declines. Sales at Gap, Macy's and Dillard's dropped too.

Looks like the hangover from a terrible 2008 will be with us for a bit.

Related: Sell Wal-Mart in '09?

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Kirk Shinkle is a senior editor at U.S. News. He writes daily about ups and downs in equity markets, sectors and stocks. Formerly, he covered business and economics on both coasts for Investor's Business Daily. Send comments, tips or Wall Street bailout plans to kshinkle@usnews.com.

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