What Analysts Think of Home Depot Stock Ahead of Earnings

Core Insights - Home Depot is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings with year-over-year sales growth, despite a projected decline in comparable store sales for the ninth consecutive quarter [1][5]. Sales and Earnings Expectations - Analysts anticipate adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.02 and sales of $39.06 billion, an increase from $34.79 billion a year ago [3]. - Comparable store sales are forecasted to decline by 1.66% year-over-year, influenced by inflation affecting sales of big-ticket items [3]. Analyst Sentiment - The majority of analysts maintain a bullish outlook on Home Depot, with eight "buy" ratings, three "hold," and one "sell," and an average price target of approximately $433, which is about 10% above the current stock level [2][5]. - JPMorgan analysts have raised their price target for Home Depot from $450 to $475, citing its valuation compared to retail peers and adding it to their "Analyst Focus List as a growth investment" [4][5].