Jefferies analyst Daniel Binder lowered estimates and his price target on Hold-rated Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) price target of $77.00 (from $82.00) following Q4 results and news the company will raise wages.

Binder commented, "Wage increases reflect a need to close the gap with other retailers such as Costco and unionized grocers. Combined with better training and accountability, this has the potential to attract better quality workers and incentivize current employees to be more productive and customer centric. This comes after a period of underinvestment, heavy public scrutiny and a management change at the top and in the Walmart division."

The firm cut Q1 EPS from $1.11 to $1.06, FY 2015 EPS from $5.15 to $4.81 and FY 2016 EPS from $5.49 to $5.16.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Wal-Mart click here. For more ratings news on Wal-Mart click here.

Shares of Wal-Mart closed at $83.52 yesterday.

Analyst Comments Analyst EPS Change Analyst EPS View Analyst PT Change

Wal-Mart (WMT) Price Target Trimmed to $82 at Deutsche Bank; Analyst Maintains Hold February 20, 2015 11:07 AM Barclays Downgrades Wal-Mart (WMT) to EqualweightFebruary 20, 2015 6:43 AM Wal-Mart (WMT) Raising Wages to $9/Hour by April, Then $10/Hour By Early Next YearFebruary 19, 2015 8:45 AM Wal-Mart (WMT) Raises Quarterly Dividend 2.1% to $0.49; 2.3% YieldFebruary 19, 2015 8:38 AM Wal-Mart (WMT) Tops Q4 EPS by 7c, FY EPS Guidance Falls ShortFebruary 19, 2015 8:34 AM