WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, saw its third-quarter profit below analysts' estimates as it cut prices to boost sales.

The company said Tuesday in a statement that net income for the quarter ending October 31 declined 2.9 percent from a year earlier to $3.34 billion, or 97 cents per share, lower than projected 98 cents.

Net sales for the same stretch were $109.5 billion, an increase of 8.2 percent from last year, among which net sales from international market increased about 20 percent to $32.4 billion.

The stores are continuing a strategy of investing in low prices, said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart president and CEO.

Wal-Mart did not pass higher prices charged by suppliers to customers suffering persistent unemployment, said Bill Simon, Wal-Mart's US chief, adding that the gross profit margin was hurt and may continue to narrow in the fourth quarter.

The diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter is expected between $1.42 and $1.48, and the whole year earnings per share may fall between 4.45 dollars and 4.51 dollars, said the company statement.