Stocks flat as stimulus hopes offset Wal-Mart (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stocks were little changed on Thursday as investors took bleak signs of more deterioration in consumer spending as likely to spur Washington to approve a stimulus plan quickly to jolt the economy out of recession.

Manufacturer of oil tank India.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc ( WMT .N) cast gloom over the market, with disappointing December sales and a dim profit outlook. Expectations that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama , who is due to be sworn in on January 20, will push for a massive economic stimulus plan helped the market cut losses, however.

Full Story: Stocks flat as stimulus hopes offset Wal-Mart (Reuters)