Core Insights - The Home Depot has appointed Michael Rowe as the new executive vice president (EVP) of Pro, effective immediately, and Stephanie Smith has been promoted to EVP of human resources [1][4] Group 1: Leadership Changes - Michael Rowe will lead The Home Depot's strategy to grow its business with professional customers, focusing on enhancing delivery capabilities, salesforce development, and technology tools [2] - Rowe has a 19-year tenure with The Home Depot, previously serving as president of The Home Depot Canada, where he significantly expanded the Pro customer base [2][3] - Stephanie Smith will succeed Tim Hourigan as EVP of human resources, responsible for the culture and experience of over 470,000 associates [4][5] Group 2: Strategic Focus - The Home Depot aims to build a Pro ecosystem to increase market share among professional customers, leveraging Rowe's experience in the Canadian market [3] - Vinod Nalajala has been promoted to president of The Home Depot Canada, bringing 24 years of experience within the company [3] Group 3: Company Overview - The Home Depot operates 2,347 retail stores and over 780 branches across North America, employing more than 470,000 associates [6]

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo analyst has lowered Home Depot's price target from $450 to $445 while maintaining an overweight rating, indicating a potential recovery in the housing-improvement market [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Home Depot's comparable sales increased by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, with comparable transactions up 0.6% and average ticket price up 0.2% [3] - Management expects 1% comparable sales growth for 2025, aligning with the outlook from rival Lowe's, which reported a 0.2% increase in comparable sales for its fourth quarter [2][3] Group 2: Market Outlook - The market is looking for a turning point that could lead to sustained growth, despite current sales figures being modest [4] - The housing recovery is anticipated to occur eventually, potentially aided by easier comparisons with previous years [4] Group 3: Investment Considerations - The thesis of "buying the housing recovery" is acknowledged, but Home Depot's valuation at 26 times estimated 2025 earnings raises questions about its risk-reward profile [5] - Home Depot may be a lower-risk investment option, but other housing-related stocks offer lower valuations and potentially higher upside for bullish investors [6]

Core Viewpoint - Home Depot has demonstrated resilience and growth despite challenges in the housing market, reporting positive comparable sales growth and strong revenue figures, indicating a potential recovery phase for the company [3][4][6]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Home Depot's overall revenue increased by 14.1% to $39.7 billion, surpassing estimates of $39.07 billion, aided by an extra week in the quarter and the acquisition of SRS Distribution [4]. - Adjusted earnings per share rose from $2.86 to $3.13, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.04; without the extra week, EPS would have been $2.83 [5]. - Comparable sales growth returned, with overall comps rising 0.8% and U.S. comps up 1.3%, marking a significant inflection point for the company [4]. Group 2: Future Outlook - Home Depot anticipates comparable sales growth of 1% and total sales growth of 2.8% for the upcoming period, reflecting some benefits from the SRS Distribution acquisition [7]. - The company expects adjusted earnings per share to decline by 2% to $15.24, influenced by investments in the business and the lower-margin nature of SRS Distribution [7]. - Long-term prospects remain positive due to expected improvements in the housing market and potential decreases in interest rates, which could stimulate home improvement spending [11][12]. Group 3: Strategic Acquisitions - The acquisition of SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion has expanded Home Depot's market reach and strengthened its position with professional customers, providing cross-sell opportunities [8]. - SRS Distribution is projected to outperform Home Depot's core business with mid-single-digit organic sales growth, continuing to operate under the same management team and pursuing its own acquisitions [9]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Despite a conservative earnings growth forecast and a modest 2.2% dividend increase, Home Depot remains a strong long-term investment due to its profitability and market leadership [10][12]. - The stock is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 27, which, while not cheap, is considered reasonable for a leading company in its category [12].

Core Viewpoint - Home Depot has reported a positive same-store sales growth for the first time since Q3 2022, indicating a potential turnaround in performance after a prolonged period of decline [1][4]. Sales Performance - Home Depot achieved a 0.8% increase in same-store sales for fiscal Q4, surpassing analysts' expectations of a 1.7% decline [4][5]. - U.S. same-store sales rose by 1.3%, with a 0.6% increase in the number of transactions and a 0.2% rise in average ticket size, primarily driven by higher prices of lumber and copper wire [4][5]. - Ten out of Home Depot's 16 product categories reported positive comparable sales growth, with strength noted in appliances, building materials, and lumber [6]. Financial Results - Overall revenue increased by 14% to $39.7 billion, aided by an extra week in the quarter and the acquisition of SRS Distribution [7]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 7% to $3.02, exceeding analyst consensus estimates of $3.01 [7]. Future Outlook - Home Depot forecasts a revenue growth of 2.8% and a 1% increase in same-store sales for the upcoming period, with adjusted EPS expected to decline by about 2% [8]. - The company plans to open 13 new stores in 2025 [8]. Market Conditions - The housing environment is expected to remain challenging, with no significant rebound in new housing starts or existing home turnover anticipated [10]. - High interest rates are likely to continue impacting large home remodeling projects, which are often financed [10][11]. Valuation - Home Depot's stock is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 26 and a forward P/E of 25.8 based on 2025 estimates, indicating a high valuation relative to historical metrics [12].

Home Depot (HD 1.62%) has been experiencing a multiyear slowdown. Its latest earnings report and commentary from the earnings call suggest that Home Depot will not see a recovery in the housing market or home improvement projects anytime soon.Here's why the retailer is a useful barometer for consumer spending and the housing market and why Home Depot, despite being in a cyclical slowdown, is still a dividend stock that is worth buying now. Home Depot's growth has ground to a haltWith a market cap of more th ...

Many famous peers are in the market, with Lowe’s (LOW) and Home Depot (HD) reflecting one of those notable pairings. We’ve recently received quarterly results from each, with both stocks seeing fair reactions post-earnings.Both companies have operated in a challenging environment over recent periods, with mortgage rates remaining sticky despite the Fed’s easing. As a result of the higher rates, consumers have pulled back big on big-ticket items and other expensive materials needed for home improvement.Both ...

Group 1: Home Depot Q4 Results - Home Depot's Q4 sales reached $39.7 billion, a 14% increase year over year from $34.78 billion, exceeding estimates of $39.14 billion [2] - The Q4 EPS was $3.13, beating expectations of $3.04 by 2.96% and rising 11% from $2.82 per share a year ago [3] - Home Depot has exceeded the Zacks EPS Consensus for 19 consecutive quarters since August 2020 [3] Group 2: Lowe's Q4 Expectations - Lowe's Q4 sales are estimated to have dipped 1% to $18.35 billion compared to $18.6 billion in the prior year quarter, while earnings are expected to rise 3% to $1.83 per share from $1.77 [5] - Lowe's has exceeded bottom line expectations for 22 consecutive quarters since August 2019 [5] - The Zacks ESP indicates Lowe's could surpass earnings expectations with a Q4 EPS estimate of $1.85, 1% above the Zacks Consensus [6] Group 3: Stock Performance & Valuation - Home Depot and Lowe's trade at forward earnings multiples of 24.4X and 18.9X, respectively [8] - Lowe's trades below the S&P 500's average of 22.5X forward earnings and at a discount to the Zacks Retail-Home Furnishings Industry average of 22.1X [9] - Home Depot's stock has gained +24% over the last three years, while Lowe's has gained +9%, both underperforming the S&P 500 [10] Group 4: Dividend Comparison - Home Depot offers a 2.35% annual dividend yield, while Lowe's yield is at 1.94%, both exceeding the S&P 500's average of 1.21% [12] - Home Depot's yield is above the industry average of 2.13% [12] Group 5: Investment Outlook - Both Home Depot and Lowe's stock hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting potential rewards for long-term investors [15] - There may be better buying opportunities ahead amid recent market volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty [15]

Core Insights - Consumers are delaying large renovation projects due to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, impacting the U.S. housing market [1][5] - Home Depot's CEO noted ongoing pressure on large remodeling projects attributed to uncertain macroeconomic conditions and high interest rates [1][5] - The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage remains just under 7%, contributing to a "golden handcuff" effect in the housing market, limiting supply [4][5] Company Performance - Home Depot's sales for professional customers outpaced do-it-yourself customers in the fourth quarter [3] - The company is not anticipating changes in the interest rate environment or improvements in housing turnover, expecting continued pressure on larger remodeling projects [5] Market Conditions - Pending home sales unexpectedly fell by 5.5% in December, pulling back from a 21-month high, indicating a slowdown in the housing market [5][7] - The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for single-family housing dropped to its lowest level in five months due to tariff uncertainties [6]

Core Insights - Housing turnover is limited due to elevated mortgage rates and potential tariffs impacting the housing market, but Home Depot is expected to see increased business as homeowners resume renovations [1][5] - Americans are anticipated to move forward with delayed relocation and renovation plans, accepting current mortgage and inflation rates, leading to a surge in construction projects that will benefit home improvement businesses like Home Depot [2] - Homeowners are unable to indefinitely postpone investments in their homes, and a thaw in the major renovation freeze is suggested by recent data from Home Depot [3] Company Performance - Home Depot's transactions valued at $1,000 or more increased by 0.9% year-over-year in the final quarter of 2024, contrasting with a 6.8% decline in the third quarter [3] - Slightly more Americans are utilizing home equity to finance projects, indicating a potential shift in consumer behavior towards larger remodeling projects [4] - Home Depot shares rose nearly 3% following the company's latest earnings report, reflecting positive market sentiment [4]

Core Insights - Home Depot is strategically investing to enhance its position in the professional market, focusing on digital and in-store offerings to provide greater value and convenience to professional customers [1][3] - The company reported a 9% increase in digital sales and positive growth in its professional market during the fourth quarter [2][4] - Home Depot's pro strategy includes improving the shopping experience through digital upgrades, workforce training, and expanding its store presence, with plans to open 12 new stores in 2024 and 13 in 2025 [3][4] Financial Performance - Home Depot reported a 0.8% increase in comparable sales for the first time in two years, with fourth-quarter sales rising 14.1% to $39.7 billion [7] - For the full fiscal year 2024, total sales increased by 4.5% to $159.5 billion, although comparable sales dropped by 1.8% [7] - The company provided guidance for a 2.8% rise in total sales for the first quarter amid a volatile macroeconomic environment [8] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on winning a greater share of wallet from professional customers by enhancing delivery experiences and improving customer engagement across channels [5][6] - Home Depot's omnichannel strategy is supported by a report indicating that nearly 40% of consumers are now click-and-mortar shoppers, utilizing both digital and physical channels [6] - Executives expressed optimism about the investments made in 2024 and the potential for continued momentum into 2025, despite uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment [9]