Iconix Banks On Wal-Mart, International.(Iconix Brand Group)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)

Byline: ALEXANDRA STEIGRAD With contributions from Meghan Cass

NEW YORK

Iconix Brand Group continues to expect growth in 2009, with the bulk of it coming from the burgeoning relationship of its brands with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the company's own international expansion.

However, excluding gains from the OP, Danskin Now and Starter brands carried at Wal-Mart, the company expects business to be weaker "across the board," Neil Cole, chairman, president and CEO, told analysts on a fourth-quarter conference call last Tuesday.

"Each business is going to be challenged with what's happening with the consumer," Cole said. "Especially in the first …