Stocks poised for a lower start after Wal-Mart's earnings

U.S. stocks are poised to open Thursday's session on a down note a day after the Dow industrials hit yet another 13-month high, but the S&P 500 couldn't make it above the 1,100 level. Foreclosures continued to decline last month, but Wal-Mart's earnings and the expected weekly jobs data have dented sentiment further.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) posted third-quarter profit of 84 cents a share, above Bloomberg's analyst estimates for profit of 81 cents and it upped its full-year profit above estimates too. But as sales grew by just 1% in the quarter and fourth quarter guidance was weak, WMT shares slid over 1% in pre-market trading.

More here: Before the bell: Stocks to open lower despite Wal-mart's beat