Movers: Wal-Mart, Barr, Best Buy, ITW

Plus more stocks making headlines in Thursday's market

From Standard & Poor's Equity Research

WAL-MART STORES, INC. (”WMT”)

Posts 3.2% higher April total US same-store sales without fuel, 3.8% higher with fuel, 9.8% higher total co. sales. Estimates US May same-store sales, excluding fuel, to be flat to up 2%.

BARR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (”BRL”)

Posts $0.57 vs. $0.73 Q1 non-GAAP adj. EPS despite 1.8% revenue rise. Notes sales of US generic contraceptive portfolio decreased. Cuts $3.05-$3.35 ‘08 adj. EPS guidance to $2.75-$3.05, sees ‘08 total revenues of $2.7B-$2.8B.

BEST BUY CO., INC. (”BBY”)

Co., Carphone Warehouse to form a new venture to accelerate development of The Carphone Warehouse’s retail ops, introduce Best Buy Stores across Europe. BBY to acquire 50% of The Carphone Warehouse’s European, US retail interests for $2.1B, create new co.

MCDONALD’S CORP. (”MCD”)

Posts 2% higher April US comp-sales, 5% higher global comp-sales, 14% higher system-wide sales for worldwide restaurants.

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. (”ITW”)

To buy Enodis plc for $2.1B cash. Deal also includes assumption of Enodis’ net debt, which was $210M as of Sep 30, ‘07, bringing total fair market value to $2.3B.

TARGET CORP. (”TGT”)

Posts 3.1% higher April same-store sales, 9% higher total sales. Notes April same-store sales were slightly below plan.

ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC. (”ATK”)

Posts $1.83 vs. $1.57 Q4 EPS on 12% sales rise. Raises FY 09 EPS forecast to $7.15-$7.35 from $7.10-$7.30, expects sales of about $4.5B, in line with long-term organic growth rates of 8%-10%. Based primarily on increased op. efficiencies, with additional benefit from reduced pension expenses, expects FY09 op. margins to approach 11%.

BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. (”BJ”)

Posts 18% higher April same-store sales (incl. contribution of 5.5% from sales of gasoline), 20% higher total sales. Posts 12% higher Q1 net sales, 9.6% higher comp-club sales.

R.H. DONNELLEY CORP. (”RHD”)

Posts $23.60 Q1 loss vs. $0.22 EPS as $2.5B goodwill impairment charge offsets 2% revenue rise. Notes adjusted Q1 EBITDA was $357M; excl effect of goodwill impairment Q1 net income would have been $15M. Affirms ‘08 guidance. Separately, launches series of refinancings expected to reduce near-term mandatory debt repayments, extend co.’s maturity profile, reduce debt levels.

TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC. (”THS”)

Posts $0.34 vs. $0.24 Q1 adj. EPS on 39% sales rise. Sees $0.29-$0.32 Q2 EPS, $1.50-$1.55 ‘08 adj. EPS.

GYMBOREE CORP. (”GYMB”)

Sees $0.83-$0.85 Q1 EPS, $3.10-$3.15 FY 09, representing a $0.10 increase over prior guidance for both outlooks. Posts 4% higher Q1 same-store sales, 16% higher total sales.

AKEENA SOLAR, INC. (”AKNS”)

Posts $0.16 Q1 loss vs. $0.06 loss as higher costs offset 95% revenue rise. Says it now expects demand for rest of the year to be weaker than expected, full year revenue to grow by 40%-50%.

DOLLAR TREE INC. (”DLTR”)

Posts 2.1% higher Q1 same-store sales, 7.8% higher total sales. Notes sales were strong throughout the Q, exceeded guidance.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. (”ANF”)

Posts 6% higher April same-store sales, 18% higher total sales.

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. (”ENER”)

Posts $0.17 Q3 EPS vs. $0.17 loss on sharply higher revenue. Sees $73M-$78M Q4 revenue, $246M-$251M ‘08.