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 Total revenue, including membership and other income, grew to $91.95 billion from $84.47 billion a year ago. Net sales grew nearly 9 percent to $90.88 billion from $83.54 billion, helped by 16.9 percent international growth and 6.4 percent growth in U.S. Wal-Mart stores.
The results beat consensus estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who expected profit of 67 cents per share on revenue of $91.67 billion.
"Our results for the third quarter reflect the improved performance of our U.S. operations. Both Wal-Mart Stores U.S. and Sam's Club increased profits faster than sales. Wal-Mart International posted a solid quarter as well," said Lee Scott, Wal-Mart Stores president and chief executive.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the company expects sales at U.S. stores open at least a year to be flat to up 2 percent. Wal-Mart Stores forecast quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations between 99 cents and $1.03, resulting in full-year profit of $3.13 to $3.17 per share.
The guidance includes an anticipated restructuring charge of about $40 million in the fourth quarter.
Wall Street is predicting quarterly earnings per share of $1.02 and full-year profit of $3.09 per share.
[Associated Press]
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