Wal-Mart's comparable sales beat estimates

[February 21, 2017]  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc reported higher-than-expected global comparable sales on Tuesday, helped by a rise in online sales and higher traffic at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.

Souvenir t-shirts are seen for sale at the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S. on June 4, 2015. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo

Sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 1.8 percent, excluding fuel. Analysts polled by research firm Consesus Metrix had forecast a rise of 1.3 percent.

Net income attributable to the world's largest retailer fell to $3.76 billion, or $1.22 cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 from $4.57 billion, or $1.43 per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, including the impact from discontinued real estate projects and severance, earnings per share stood at $1.30.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Chicago Editing by W Simon)

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