Wal-Mart profit rises, but holiday view light

* Q3 shr 84 cts vs Wall St view 81 cts

* Q3 U.S. same-store sales fell 0.4 pct

* Sees Q4 EPS from continuing ops $1.08-$1.12

* Shares down 0.7 pct at $52.62

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) reported a higher quarterly profit as the world's biggest retailer clamped down on inventory and controlled expenses, but forecast earnings for the current period that could miss current Wall Street estimates.

Profit for the third quarter ended Oct. 31 rose to $3.23 billion, or 84 cents per share, from $3.14 billion, or 80 cents per share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average were expecting earnings of 81 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Wal-Mart had forecast earnings per share from continuing operations of 78 cents to 82 cents.