1 Stock That Turned $1,000 Into $66,000

Company Overview - Home Depot has grown from 340 locations in January 1995 to 2,350 locations as of May 4, 2025, including 182 in Canada and 140 in Mexico, making it a dominant player in the home improvement retail space [6][7] - The company reported $39.9 billion in sales in its fiscal Q1, significantly higher than 30 years ago, and generated $5.1 billion in operating income in its most recent fiscal quarter [7][8] Financial Performance - Home Depot returned $8.9 billion to shareholders in dividend payouts for fiscal 2024, alongside share repurchases [8] - The stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.3, which is close to the S&P 500 average, but considered expensive given projected earnings per share growth of only 5.9% from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2027 [12] Market Position and Future Outlook - Home Depot's strong brand presence, unmatched inventory assortment, and well-developed omnichannel capabilities position it well to maintain its industry leadership [9] - The median age of homes in the U.S. was 40 years in 2022, indicating a growing need for home maintenance and improvement, which supports demand for Home Depot's products [11] - Despite recent performance challenges due to macroeconomic factors, the home improvement industry is expected to remain durable, making it an attractive long-term investment [13]