Check out Wal-Mart’s earnings.

The world’s largest retailer posted a 7 percent rise in quarterly profits.

But even as the discounter drew cash-strapped consumers looking to save money, the company also indicated that it could miss second-quarter earnings estimates, which pressured its stock price in the morning.

Consumers are being hit by higher transportation costs and a difficult economic climate, the company acknowledged.

“Customers are faced with results of a tougher economy, higher gas prices, food inflation and the increase in the overall cost of living,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, head of Wal-Mart’s U.S. operations, on a recorded call.

It also is becoming more obvious that customers are running out of money between paychecks as the company sees business ebb and flow with the paycheck cycle, the retailer said.

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