Home Depot(US:HD) ZACKS·2025-10-07 17:10Core Insights - Home Depot's stock has experienced a decline of 7.3% over the past month, underperforming the industry average decline of 6.8% [1] - The stock closed at $397.02 on October 1, 2025, falling below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) of $399.79, indicating a bearish sentiment [1][2] - Despite short-term challenges, Home Depot remains above its 200-day SMA, suggesting a more favorable long-term outlook [2] Recent Performance - Over the past three months, Home Depot's shares have risen by 5.9%, outperforming the Zacks Retail – Home Furnishings industry's growth of 3.4% but lagging behind the broader Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and S&P 500, which grew by 8.5% and 9.4%, respectively [6] - Compared to competitors, Home Depot's performance is weaker, with Lowe's and FGI Industries showing gains of 8.1% and 56.6%, respectively, while Floor & Decor Holdings saw a decline of 12.5% [7] Technical Analysis - The drop below the 50-day SMA indicates a shift from short-term bullish to bearish sentiment, reflecting decreased investor confidence and slower buying interest [2][9] - Home Depot's stock is currently trading at $389.33, which is 19.3% above its 52-week low of $326.31 and 11.4% below its 52-week high of $439.37 [10] Financial Outlook - Home Depot anticipates a flat gross margin of 33.4% and an adjusted operating margin of 13.4% for fiscal 2025, facing cost pressures from logistics, wages, and amortization [12] - Inventory levels increased by $1.8 billion year-over-year in Q2 fiscal 2025, raising markdown risks, with management projecting only 1% comparable sales growth and a 2% decline in adjusted EPS for fiscal 2025 [13] Long-Term Fundamentals - Despite short-term challenges, Home Depot's fundamentals indicate long-term strength, with a 4.9% year-over-year sales increase in Q2 fiscal 2025 and a 1% increase in comparable sales [14] - The company's integrated retail model and ongoing investments in supply-chain efficiency and AI-driven logistics are enhancing operational resilience and customer satisfaction [17] Valuation Metrics - Home Depot currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 2.29X, above the industry average of 1.65X, but slightly below its median P/E level of 2.36X from the past year [18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Home Depot's fiscal 2025 EPS remains steady at $15.03, indicating a year-over-year decline of 1.4%, while the fiscal 2026 EPS estimate suggests growth of 8.5% [19] Market Position - Home Depot's recent slip below the 50-day SMA signals near-term weakness, but its fundamentals and market position suggest resilience and potential for long-term growth [22][23] - Investments in supply-chain modernization and omnichannel capabilities provide a solid foundation for sustained growth, despite potential near-term volatility [24]