Wal-Mart Sees Rise in December Sales
by January 15, 2007 12:00 am 53 views
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville said December same-store sales bounced back greater than expected. The company also said the comparable sales increase could carry over into January.
Despite slow sales in recent months, the world’s largest retailer exceeded earlier corporate projections of flat to 1 percent increase in comparable sales for December with an actual growth of 1.6 percent. Still, same-store sales in December 2005 increased 2.5 percent.
Net sales for December were $44 billion. For the 48 weeks ended Dec. 29, Wal-Mart netted $320.39 billion.
Looking forward, Wal-Mart expects same-store sales to increase 1 percent to 2 percent in January. The company also reiterated its previously stated earnings guidance from continuing operations of 88 cents to 92 cents per share for the fourth quarter and $2.85 to $2.89 per share for the fiscal year.