Walmart Beats the Numbah

Walmart (WMT) reported results for its fiscal third quarter. The world’s largest retailer said earnings came in at $0.84 a share, $0.03 better than Wall Street estimates.

Revenues rose 1.1% year-over-year to $98.67 billion, below expectations of $99.88 billion.

For the fourth quarter, Walmart sees earnings coming in between $1.08 and $1.12 a share, versus consensus of $1.12.

The company said comparable same-store sales for Walmart in the US and its Sam’s Club stores were flat. But customer store traffic and market share gains were encouraging signs of the health of the underlying business.

From the Bull Pen: When Walmart pulled back earlier this month to $49 to $50, it was a bullish backtest of the downtrend. One can still consider this stock as it slips toward $52. A sell stop can be set near $51.

From the Bear Cave: In retail, look to American Eagle (AEO). A rally to $17-17.50 could be the makings of a bearish head and shoulders pattern on the daily chart. One can fade (read: sell) into that level with a buy stop above $17.50.

A Quick Check Around the World

Asian trading closed with the Nikkei -0.68%, India -0.91%, Hang Seng -1.01%, Shanghai -0.07%, and Taiwan 0.04%.

Across the pond, we see the FTSE 0.01%, CAC -0.11%, DAX -0.03%

As of 8:30 a.m. EST, S&P Futures are trading -3.50 to 1093.00 and Nasdaq futures are -4.750 to 1779.00.

A Look at Commodities

Over in commodities, crude oil is -0.76 to 78.52 while gold is -1.400 to 1113.20 this morning. Silver is -0.10 to 17.435 and copper -2.400 to 294.20.

The dollar Index is +0.2050 to 75.4650.

On the Radar

Economics

08:30 Initial Claims
08:30 Continuing Claims
11:00 Crude Inventories

Click here for the full trading radar.

Thirsty Thursday! Good luck and Go 9ers!