UPDATE: Wal-Mart Posts 5.7% Rise In Q2 Profit, Lifts FY12 Forecast

Wal-Mart Stores

reported a 5.7% rise in its second-quarter profit. Wal-Mart's quarterly earnings surged to $4 billion, or $1.18 per share, versus $3.8 billion, or $1.09 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its total revenue climbed 4.5% to $114.3 billion from $109.4 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.17 per share on revenue of $114.6 billion. Wal-Mart projects Q3 profit of $1.04 to $1.09 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $1.05 per share. It now expects FY12 profit of $4.83 to $4.93 per share, versus its prior forecast of $4.72 to $4.92 per share. Wal-Mart shares dropped 3.29% to $72.00 in pre-market trading.