Wal-Mart Stores Inc Issues Q1 2014 EPS Guidance Below Analysts' Estimates; Issues FY 2014 EPS Guidance In Line With Analysts' Estimates

Wal-Mart Stores Inc announced that it expect first quarter 2014 EPS to range between $1.11 and $1.16 and fiscal 2014 EPS to range between $5.20 and $5.40, which includes increased fiscal 2014 costs of around $0.09 per share for its e-commerce operations. Fiscal 2014 EPS guidance assumes that currency rates remain at today's levels and takes into account the Company's forecast for the annual effective tax rate to range between 32.0% and 33.0%. Additionally, the company's guidance considers the costs associated with the FCPA and compliance matters, which are estimated to be approximately $40 to $45 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014. According to I/B/E/S Estimates, analysts on an average were expecting the Company to report EPS of $1.18 for the first quarter of 2014 and EPS of $5.37 for fiscal 2014.