Bentonville, AR, May 16, 2006--Wal-Mart Stores reported a stronger-than-expected 6.3% increase in first-quarter profit on sales in line with Wall Street's consensus estimate.
The company reported net income for the quarter of $2.62 billion, or $0.63 a share, from $2.33 billion, or $0.55, in the year-earlier period.
Revenue climbed 12% to $80.47 billion.
Analysts had projected earnings of $0.61 a share on revenue of $80.43 billion.
Wal-Mart said it expects second-quarter earnings of $0.70 to $0.74 a share as comparable-store sales rise 2% to 4%.
Analysts are looking for EPS in the second-quarter of $0.74.
The company affirmed its expectation of fiscal-year earnings of $2.88 to $2.95 a share.
In the quarter sales at Wal-Mart's segments rose 10% to $52.5 billion; 6.8% at Sam's Club to $9.78 billion, and 23% internationally to $17.34 billion.
Comparable-store sales increased 3.8%. They rose 3.8% at Wal-Mart brand stores and 4.3% at Sam's Club.
