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3. Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart Stores
Financials: Latest Results
Rank: 3 (Previous rank: 1)
CEO: Michael T. Duke
Employees: 2,200,000
Address: 702 S.W. Eighth St.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Country: U.S.
Website: www.walmartstores.com

The world’s biggest retailer enjoyed robust profits overseas, but continued struggling at home with weak sales and public relations debacles. For fiscal year 2011, Wal-Mart saw operating income rise by 6.4% to more than $25 billion. But while the Bentonville, AR-based chain saw gains abroad, executives found it harder to lure U.S. shoppers.

The chain saw foot traffic decline, and Wal-Mart tried to bring back shoppers pinched by high unemployment and gas prices. The company also began opening 40 smaller “Walmart Express” stores in rural and urban areas.

Beyond sales, the chain also struggled with a shaky public image. In June 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a discrimination lawsuit accusing the retailer of favoring men over women in promotions and pay. While executives may have breathed a sigh of relief, Wal-Mart suffered another blow when U.S. lawmakers launched an investigation in April 2012 following allegations of bribery at the chain’s Mexican affiliate. – Nin-Hai Tseng, writer


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  $ millions % change from 2010
Revenues 446,950.0 6.0
Profits 15,699.0 -4.2
Assets 193,406.0 --
Stockholders' equity 71,315.0 --
Profits as % of  
Revenues 3.5
Assets 8.1171
From the July 23, 2012 issue
Figures are for fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2012.
Top 50 Headquarters
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Interactive: Where the money is
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What do you think of Wal-Mart Stores?

Rank # of Global 500 Companies
U.S. 132
China 73
Japan 68
Company 2011 Number of Employees
Wal-Mart Stores 2,200,000
China National Petroleum 1,668,072
State Grid 1,583,000
Company 2011 Profits
($ millions)
Gazprom $44,459.6
Exxon Mobil $41,060
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China $32,214.1
FAQ and methodology
All companies on the list must publish financial data and report part or all of their figures to a government agency. In the U.S., private companies and cooperatives... More
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