Wal-Mart joined other companies in announcing an employee wage hike and bonus program. Citing "the opportunities tax reform creates for us," the retailer said Thursday that the measures "will benefit the company's more than one million U.S. hourly associates." 

Interest in this announcement extends well beyond the company itself. The move raises relevant questions for those seeking to predict the future economy: Does this event mark the attainment of a critical mass that makes it inevitable the corporate sector as a whole will pass on part of the relief from the recent tax-cut package in the form of higher wages? Will it translate into greater short-term consumption and growth, as well as greater corporate investment and higher growth potential? And will it assuage those who are concerned about higher government debt?

Starting in February, the starting wages of Wal-Mart associates will increase to $11 an hour. Eligible full- and part-time employees will also receive a one-time bonus to be determined by their length of service (including $1,000 for those with at least 20 years). Combined, these two measures will add $700 million of expenses to the amount the retail giant had already budgeted for in its fiscal-year planning.

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