WMT Walmart Inc

By WSJ City 

Walmart's profit and sales rose over the winter holidays, a sign that the retail giant lured shoppers from rivals and that Americans continued to spend freely amid mixed economic signals. Shares rose.

KEY FACTS

   -- In the US, the company's comparable sales rose 4.2% in the January-ended 
      quarter. 
 
   -- Walmart had said it expected quarterly US comparable sales to rise at 
      least 3% from a year earlier. 
 
   -- It got a lift from the US government sending February cheques to 
      Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in January...... 
 
   -- to ensure payment amid the federal government shutdown. 
 
   -- The results were mostly better than Wall Street had expected and the 
      company reiterated its financial forecasts for fiscal 2020. 

WHY THIS MATTERS

The numbers add to a string of positive quarterly sales for Walmart as it invests to grow online.Sales got a boost from Walmart's push into grocery delivery, investments to lower prices as well as strong sales of holiday purchases including toys.

A fuller story is available on WSJ.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 20, 2019 02:06 ET (07:06 GMT)

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