Sector Snap: Discount stores mostly down

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., was one of the few gainers, after it reported April same-store sales beat expectations.

Shares rose 63 cents to $57.47 during morning trading.

However, Target Corp. 's same-store sales fell short of expectations, as customers bought groceries but steered clear of bigger-ticket items such as jewelry.

Shares fell $1.15, or 2.2 percent to $52.29. The stock has traded between $47.01 and $70.75 during the past 52 weeks.

Of the smaller discounters, Dollar Tree was the standout. The company reported same-store sales rose 2.1 percent. Total quarterly sales rose 8 percent to $1.05 billion, while analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected sales of $1.02 billion.

Shares rose $3.05, or 10 percent, to $33.35. The stock has traded between $20.72 and $45.98 during the past year.

Family Dollar Stores Inc. said April same-store sales rose 4.3 percent, while analysts forecast a 4.9 percent rise.

Shares fell 16 cents to $21.70.

Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. April same-store sales fell 8.6 percent. Shares fell 47 cents to $12.51.