Stocks to Watch: Wal-Mart Monthly Sales Up, Genzyme Misses Estimates

The nation's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart (WMT Quote), said same-store sales rose 10.3% last month. Total sales for the four-week period ended March 1 rose 15.6% to $17.2 billion from $14.9 billion in February last year. Same-store sales at Wal-Mart stores rose 11%, while Sam's Club posted a same-store sales increase of 6.9%. Analysts expected the company's same-store sales to rise 7.7%.

Earnings Reports & Outlooks

Genzyme General (GENZ Quote) reported higher fourth-quarter profits but lower earnings per share as a result of the biotech firm issuing new stock for acquisitions. Profits in the fourth quarter totaled $63.3 million, before amortization and items, compared with $58.3 million in the fourth quarter last year. But Genzyme reported fourth-quarter earnings of 29 cents a share, lower than last year's 31 cents and a penny shy of Wall Street's consensus estimates.

Miscellaneous News

Two drug companies and a medical device maker reported product setbacks Thursday morning. Sepracor (SEPR Quote) and Celgene (CELG Quote) both had drugs run into trouble with the Food and Drug Administration, while Guidant (GDT Quote) halted trials of an artery stent after a study found it wasn't effective.

Monthly Retail Sales

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF Quote) said same-store sales fell 9% in February. Analysts were looking for a 13.3% decrease. Total sales climbed 13% to $89 million from $78.6 million. ...