Walmart results blow past forecasts in Q4

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported that sales at stores open more than a year rose by 4.2% (excluding fuel) in the holiday quarter. Adjusted earnings per share came to $1.41, compared with analyst estimates of $1.33 per share. Online sales surged by 43% as the retail giant held its own against competition from Amazon. In Canada, net sales edged up by 1.5% and comparable sales by 1.1% but overall earnings fell due to higher expenses. The results make for Walmart’s 18th consecutive quarter of growth in the U.S., a streak unmatched by any other retailer.