Like E.F. Hutton of old, when Wal-Mart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) talks about the state of the markets people listen.

With more than 200 million customers and 10,773 stores in 29 countries, the worldwide retail giant has become the ultimate consumer bellwether-especially in the United States where it accounts for approximately 10% of all non-automotive retail spending.

Unfortunately, here's what Wal-Mart has to say about its customers : They are broke.

According to leaked e-mails from some of the top brass at Wal-Mart, February sales were a "total disaster."

So how is it possible that the world's largest retailer with "everyday low prices" is having trouble getting its customers to buy things?...

Let's break down Wal-Mart's recent sales and the hot issues that now surround its share price.

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