U.S. stocks carve out gain; Wal-Mart, H-P in focus

Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:52 -0500

U.S. STOCKS CARVE OUT GAIN; WAL-MART, H-P IN FOCUS
U.S. stocks notch a slender gain Thursday morning, as materials edged
up after an analyst upgrade and company earnings reclaimed investors'
attention.

WAL-MART GETS A FOURTH-QUARTER BOOST FROM OVERSEAS
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. posts a 21% increase in fiscal fourth-quarter
profit as international growth offsets a sluggish U.S. economy.

WAL-MART'S CORE CUSTOMER IS STILL HURTING
Is the economy so good now that it's bad for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.?

RETAILERS OFF ON EMPLOYMENT DATA, WAL-MART RESULTS
Retailers' shares slip a bit at the open as the main sector indicator
loses about 1% following mixed-bag results from Wal-Mart Stores as
well as persisently high unemployment data.