Wal-Mart Stores’ income rose 41% to $136.1...

Wal-Mart Stores’ income rose 41% to $136.1 million in the third quarter. Analysts noted that the Bentonville, Ark.-based company has a large number of stores in the Oil Patch, which is much better off economically now than this time last year. Revenue was up 36% to $4.04 billion. Analysts also noted that with sluggish consumer spending, stores that offer staple items to middle- and lower-income shoppers are expected to perform better than upscale specialty retailers.