NEW YORK (AP) Wal-Mart Stores Inc. eked out a rare gain in an important sales measurement during the third quarter as it reported profits that beat Wall Street expectations Thursday.

But the world's largest retailer issued a fourth-quarter profit outlook that missed Wall Street expectations because of expected fierce holiday discounting. The quarter also marked two full years of traffic declines at U.S. Wal-Mart stores.Macy's, J.C. Penney and Kohl's all reported results this week that show middle-income shoppers remain cautious heading into the holiday shopping season.Wal-Mart itself is a barometer of consumer spending, and its challenges reflect the struggles of its low-income shoppers, who are being squeezed by stagnant wages and reduced government food stamps. But Wal-Mart sees potential help: Lower gas prices that could put more money into shoppers' pockets.