Standard & Poor's Inc. included eight U.S. consumer discretionary companies among 73 companies based in the United States that made its annual Global Challengers, a list released Wednesday of mid-sized companies that show the "highest growth characteristics."

Wal-Mart presented a colorful, casual line of youthful looks for kids and teens at a fashion show that previewed the mass-market chain's new low-cost offerings for back to school.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc <WMT.N> presented a colorful, casual line of youthful looks for kids and teens on Saturday at a fashion show that previewed the mass-market chain's new low-cost offerings for back to school.

By Alexandria Sage