Wal-Mart has reported better than expected quarterly profits as its discount stores benefited from a more cautious mood among US consumers.
Net profits rose 4% to just over $4 billion, or $1.02 per share, for its fourth quarter to the end of January.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has been trying to improve sales at its US stores and appeal to its core lower income shoppers, who are feeling the pinch of higher food and fuel costs and the downturn in the housing market.
Sales for the quarter rose to $106.3 billion from $98 billion a year earlier.
