U.S. stock index futures slid on Thursday after Wal-Mart Stores (WMT.N) posted disappointing December sales and forecast a fourth-quarter profit shortfall, compounding investors' worries about the deepening recession. * The news from Wal-Mart, a Dow component, flew in the face of expectations that the economic slump will favor discount chains as consumers pare back spending amid mounting job losses. * S&P 500 futures SPc1 dropped 8.90 points, while Nasdaq futures NDc1 dipped 7 points, and Dow futures DJc1 declined 95 points.

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