Home Depot(US:HD) ZACKS·2026-02-17 18:01Core Insights - Home Depot's shares have increased by 17% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry's growth of 18.8% but outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's return of 3.7% and the S&P 500's rally of 4.1% during the same period [1][6] - The stock is currently trading at $391.05, which is 8.4% below its 52-week high of $426.75 reached in September [1][2] Performance Comparison - Home Depot has lagged behind key peers such as Lowe's Companies Inc. (31.5%), Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (19.1%), and Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (21%) over the past three months [2][6] - The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating a favorable technical setup [2][3] Growth Strategy - Home Depot is focusing on expanding its Pro ecosystem and enhancing digital tools, including AI-powered blueprint takeoffs, to drive growth [6][7] - The company is deepening relationships with professional contractors by combining retail scale with wholesale distribution expertise, enhancing cross-selling opportunities [8] Digital Innovation - The AI-powered blueprint takeoffs tool improves planning efficiency by analyzing construction plans and generating material estimates quickly [9] - Investments in fulfillment and operational efficiency are aimed at enhancing customer experience through faster delivery and improved inventory visibility [10] Financial Overview - In Q3 of fiscal 2025, Home Depot invested approximately $900 million in capital expenditures, with a full-year capex projected at 2.5% of sales [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a 3.3% year-over-year increase in sales and a 4.9% decline in EPS for the current fiscal year [12] Market Challenges - Home Depot faces downward estimate revisions due to pressures in the home improvement environment, particularly for larger discretionary projects [15] - High interest rates and subdued housing turnover are impacting customer demand for big-ticket remodels, while smaller projects remain stable [15] Valuation Analysis - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 25.74, which is above the industry's average of 23.53 and the sector's 24.19, suggesting that Home Depot may be overvalued [18][20] - Compared to peers, Home Depot trades at a premium to Lowe's and Williams-Sonoma but at a discount to Floor & Decor Holdings [20] Investment Outlook - Home Depot's structural strengths through Pro expansion and digital investments support its long-term growth outlook [21] - However, the stock's premium valuation and slower earnings momentum limit near-term upside potential, suggesting that maintaining existing positions may be prudent while new investors might wait for clearer demand improvement [22]