Fred Business News-  Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday blamed an early Easter and weather woes for March sales that were at the lower end of its guidance.

However, the world's largest retailer upped its fiscal first-quarter profit guidance, citing tighter inventory levels that helped it to reduce additional discounts in the period.

Wal-Mart said sales at its stores open at least a year, a key measure of retail performance known as same-store sales, rose 0.7%, which was at the lower-end of its guidance of being flat to up ...   more »