Wal-Mart (WMT) has been working hard to counter its widespread reputation as an environmentally destructive business that exploits its labor force. In doing so, I believe that it is building up expenses for itself, because taking care of the environment and the community can cost money. On the flip side, if it fails to actually fulfill its promise, the company risks losing customers around the world. In this way, I expect to see the stock dip down in the near future, and only if the company has adjusted to its new ethical procedures can rise back up as strong as ever, in my opinion. For investors, this means that a window of opportunity is coming up to get into this stock, if they are willing to take the risk that it might never return to its former glory.

Recently, Wal-Mart teamed up with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to launch a program aimed at getting Latin American women involved in their own entrepreneurial enterprises. The company is putting $12 million into the program, which could greatly improve its overall image among those who do not analyze the program too closely for flaws. I think that this is a smart move on the part of the company, which can easily afford to give away that much money. Thus, it is hardly a loss to the bottom line, and it will help draw in the many people who have avoided the store in the past due to unfavorable reports about its practices.To continue reading, click here.