It wasn't the guidance that Walmart (NYSE: WMT) shareholders were hoping to see. But the retailer's fiscal fourth quarter was strong enough to keep its stock in the black during Tuesday's otherwise bearish, post-report action.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect from the company's Q4 earnings report, however, is one that few investors are talking about -- Walmart finally cleared out a nagging inventory overhang. While this took a sizable bite out of gross margins, the world's biggest brick-and-mortar retailer can now move forward without the encumberment that's been in its way for a little over a year.

But first things first.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com