Wal-Mart earnings flat in second quarter

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) reported largely unchanged second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, despite lower sales at some of its Sam's Club and namesake Wal-Mart stores.

For the three months ending July 31, Wal-Mart said it earned $4.9 billion, or 88 cents a share, compared to $4.67 billion, or 87 cents a share, a year ago. Sales slipped to $100.1 billion in the quarter, down 1.4% from $101.5 billion last year.