* , 11:38 A.M. ET Wal-Mart's Profit Rises 22%; Current-Quarter Outlook Is Weak

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported a 22% gain in fourth-quarter profit but said sales declined at U.S. stores opened more than a year. The retailing giant also offered tepid first-quarter earnings guidance.

The worse-than-expected sales results were due primarily to falling prices in grocery and electronics, the company said. The soft fourth-quarter sales also may reflect that consumers aren't relying on discounters are much.

"The benefit they saw last year from the 'trade-down' effect seems like it's dissipating," ...

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