沃尔玛扩大内部反腐败调查

Walmartrevealed that its internal probe into potential violations of anti-corruption law had extended to Brazil, China and India as it reported quarterly sales growth short of expectations and profits that matched them.

沃尔玛(Walmart)表示，对于涉嫌违反美国反腐败法行为的内部调查范围已扩大到巴西、中国和印度。该公司刚公布的今年第三季度财报显示，沃尔玛的销售增幅逊于预期，利润水平与预期相符。

The world’s biggest retailer by sales said yesterday that investigations into allegations of bribes paid to secure new store permits in Mexico had been extended to three other emerging markets.

沃尔玛昨日表示，对于相关员工涉嫌在墨西哥行贿以取得开店许可的调查行动，已经扩大到另外三个新兴市场国家。按销售额计算，沃尔玛是世界最大的零售商。

“Inquiries or investigations regarding allegations of potential [US anti-corruption law] violations have been commenced in a number of foreign markets where we operate, including but not limited to Brazil, China and India, Walmart said in a regulatory filing.

沃尔玛在一份提交给监管机构的文件中表示，“我们已经在我们涉足的一些海外市场启动了对涉嫌违反（美国反腐败法）行为的质询或调查，其中包括但不限于巴西、中国和印度。

At the same time, Walmart reported sales that disappointed investors – up 3.4 per cent from a year ago at $113.2bn but short of the consensus forecast of $114.9bn. Without currency effects, Walmart said, it would have hit the forecast.

同时，沃尔玛公布的销售业绩令投资者感到失望，销售额同比增长3.4%至1132亿美元，低于分析师预测的1149亿美元。沃尔玛表示，如果不考虑汇率的影响，业绩能够达到预期水平。

However, signs of slowing momentum before the crucial end-of-year holiday shopping season sent Walmart shares down 3.6 per cent to $68.73 in early trading.

不过，年底关键的假期销售旺季之前销售增长出现放缓迹象，导致沃尔玛股价早盘下挫3.6%，报68.73美元。

The retailer reported net income up 9 per cent to $3.6bn, or $1.08 per share, in the three months to the end of October, matching Wall Street forecasts.

沃尔玛报告称，在截至10月底的三个月内，纯利润增长9%至36亿美元，折合每股1.08美元，符合华尔街的预期。

Charles Holley, chief financial officer, described the results as “very solid and said: “We grew our income faster than our sales. That’s very key for us.

沃尔玛首席财务官查尔斯·霍利(Charles Holley)形容公司业绩“非常强劲，并表示：“我们的利润增长快于销售增长。这对我们非常关键。