COMPANIES The consumer staples sector was the worst performing on Wall Street yesterday after a profit warning from Wal-Mart heightened concerns that the year-long recession could hurt even those groups previously regarded as relatively immune.
Shares in the world's biggest retailer were among the few to enjoy a double-digit increase last year, up 18 per cent as investors hoped the group could continue to find strong growth from costconscious consumers eking out cheaper alternatives.
