Home Depot Could Hammer Out Gains With Pro Expansion, Analyst Says

Core Viewpoint - Home Depot is set to report its third-quarter earnings on November 18, with an anticipated update on strategic priorities and long-term outlook at the December Analyst Conference. Bank of America maintains a Buy rating with a price target of $450 [1][6]. Sales Performance - Bank of America projects a 1.3% increase in comparable sales for Home Depot in the third quarter of 2026, slightly above the previous quarter's 1.0% [2]. - Observed sales data from Bloomberg indicates a 1.6% rise, supporting the sales growth outlook [2]. - The company experienced strong sales trends in August, but these softened in October due to the comparison with last year's hurricane-related sales boost [3]. Financial Forecast - For the full year 2026, revenue is estimated at $163.91 billion and EPS at $14.95, aligning with consensus estimates. For fiscal 2027, revenue is projected to rise to $170.68 billion with EPS of $16.25 [7]. Strategic Initiatives - Home Depot's acquisition of Gypsum Management & Supply (GMS) for an implied enterprise value of $5.5 billion enhances its Pro capabilities, adding drywall, steel framing, and ceilings to its offerings [4]. - The bank highlights trade credit expansion and improved order management as key strategies to deepen penetration with approximately 9 million Pro customers [5]. Market Position - Home Depot is well-positioned amid a challenging macroeconomic environment, benefiting from structural housing-related tailwinds. Despite deferrals in large-ticket projects due to high mortgage rates, the company is expected to gain market share through expanded delivery and Pro-focused services [6].