WAL-MART BEATS NOVEMBER EXPECTATIONS

Wal-Mart beat expectations with November U.S. same-store sales rising 1.5%, not counting fuel, for both Wal-Mart (1%) and Sam’s Club (4.3%) stores. Total company sales rose 8.4% to $31.72 billion for the four weeks ending Nov. 30.

Wal-Mart said it expects sale-store sales of its U.S. operations to be between 1% and 3% for the five-week period ending Jan. 4.

“Grocery and pharmacy continued to drive strong comparable store sales during the November four-week period. In addition, Wal-Mart had very solid “Black Friday” sales across the store, from entertainment items to sleepwear,” said the company in a statement.

“In the November four-week period, Sam’s Club had strengths in a number of holiday and gift-giving categories, including electronics and video games. Other strong categories across the clubs included produce, bakery, juice and water, and consumable items.”