(RTTNews) - Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT: News ), considered a bellwether for the industry, is slated to announce its third-quarter results before the market opens Thursday. Earlier in August, the company said it expects third-quarter earnings from continuing operations between $0.78 and $0.82 per share, including a negative impact of three cents from currency exchange rates.

On average, 24 analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect the company to post earnings of $0.81 per share for the quarter, with estimates ranging between $0.79 and $0.84 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Sales for the quarter are estimated to be $99.88 billion, representing a 1.3% growth from last year.

In the same quarter a year ago, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company, a Dow component, reported earnings of $0.77 per share, on sales of $98.64 billion.

For the 13-week period from August 1 through October 30, Walmart U.S. expects comparable store sales, a key measure of retailers' performance, to be between flat and up 2%, while Sam's Club expects comparable club sales to be flat, plus or minus 1%. Wal-Mart said early this year that it would no longer report monthly comparable store sales, and its 13-week comparable store sales results will be reported as part of quarterly earnings news.
While announcing the second quarter results, Wal-Mart revised its fiscal 2010 guidance, currently expecting earnings from continuing operations of $3.50 to $3.60 per share, compared to the prior forecast of $3.45 to $3.60 per share. For the year, analysts estimate earnings of $3.58 per share, with estimates ranging between $3.53 and $3.65 per share, while net sales are projected to be $409.95 billion, up 1.1% from last year. The company then pointed out that the outlook revision was based on its view of the economy and its continued focus on managing expenses and productivity.

Founded in 1945, Wal-Mart operates more than 8,000 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries, with its around 2.1 million full time employees. The company' Walmart U.S. segment operates through discount stores, supercenters, and neighborhood markets, as well as through walmart.com, while Sam's Club segment operates through warehouse membership clubs in the United States, as well as through samsclub.com. The International segment includes various formats of retail stores and restaurants, including combination discount and grocery stores, supercenters, Sam's Clubs, hypermarkets, cash-n-carry stores, department stores, and general merchandise stores.

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