Wal-Mart de Mexico profit up 18% in Q3

Mexico City Mexico's largest retailer, Wal-Mart de Mexico SA, reported Thursday that its net profit rose 18% in the third quarter, saying discount prices attracted more recession-squeezed shoppers even as customers spent less on average.

The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores posted earnings of 3.86 billion pesos ($290 million) in the July-September period, up from 3.27 billion pesos in third quarter 2008.

The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. posted earnings of 3.86 billion pesos ($290 million) in the July-September period, up from 3.27 billion pesos in the third quarter of 2008.