Wal-Mart May Invest in Japan’s Daiei

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it might invest in Japan’s No. 3 retailer, Daiei Inc., to expand its presence in Asia.

Wal-Mart hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein to review investment opportunities after Daiei said it was pursuing restructuring alternatives.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based discount retailer already has a 37% stake in Tokyo-based supermarket chain Seiyu Ltd. and has an option to buy as much as two-thirds in 2007.

Shares of Wal-Mart fell 38 cents to $54.46 on the New York Stock Exchange.