Core Viewpoint - Home Depot's stock remains attractive despite a slight earnings miss, supported by a maintained full-year forecast and strategic initiatives aimed at growth [2][5]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Home Depot's revenue increased by over 7% in the last twelve months, while Lowe's saw a 3% decrease, with Home Depot reporting approximately $85 billion in sales in the first half of fiscal 2025, nearly double that of Lowe's [6]. - Home Depot's trailing twelve-month margin exceeded 13%, with a 13.7% operating margin in the first half of fiscal 2025, compared to Lowe's 12.4% and 13.3% respectively, indicating higher efficiency [6]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Home Depot is focusing on penetrating the professional market through investments in digital tools, Pro Desk services, and in-store enhancements, which are expected to drive customer engagement and growth [5]. - The company benefits from a balanced customer base of DIY enthusiasts and professionals, with professionals contributing significantly to sales, representing about 30% of Lowe's sales [5]. Group 3: Market Position and Risks - Both Home Depot and Lowe's face similar trade risks due to their reliance on imports, but Home Depot's stronger margins allow it to pass on costs more effectively than Lowe's, which is more sensitive to price changes [6]. - Historical performance indicates that Home Depot is not immune to market downturns, having experienced drops of over 35% during the inflation-driven downturn of 2022 and about 38% during the pandemic in 2020 [3][8].

Group 1 - Economist Nouriel Roubini predicts that the U.S. core inflation rate will rise to 3.5% by the end of 2025, indicating a slowdown in economic growth and potential recession in the second half of this year [1] - Roubini warns that inflation remains too high, making it difficult for the Federal Reserve to shift its policy, as the core personal consumption expenditure index remains stubbornly above target levels [1] - He anticipates a "mild stagflation shock" and expects global trade negotiations to cool down, potentially leading to many countries facing tariffs of around 15% [1] Group 2 - Roubini is the fund manager of the Atlas U.S. Fund (USAF), which aims to protect investors from inflation, economic shocks, and climate instability, currently managing assets of $17 million [2] - Since its launch in November, USAF has risen over 5%, although it has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 index [2] - The fund focuses on stable returns rather than high returns, appealing to investors expecting slow, long-term instability rather than sudden collapse [2] Group 3 - USAF has recently increased its exposure to cybersecurity and defense technology while buying short-term inflation-protected bonds and reducing real estate holdings [3] - Roubini believes that the global economy is gradually moving away from the dollar, with investors preparing for this shift [3] - The fund's portfolio includes gold, short-term U.S. government bonds, and agricultural products, which have shown mixed performance [2][3] Group 4 - Roubini's outlook includes rising inflation, slowing growth, geopolitical uncertainty, and tightening global financial conditions [4]

Core Viewpoint - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak stated that oil prices are expected to rise as "market shocks" gradually subside [1] Group 1 - The current market conditions are characterized by significant volatility, which has impacted oil prices [1] - Novak emphasized that the stabilization of the market will lead to an increase in oil prices [1] - The statement reflects a broader expectation within the industry regarding future price trends as market disruptions diminish [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the ongoing fluctuations in gold prices and the resilience of silver bulls despite potential pullbacks [1] - It raises questions about the impact of CPI data on the market and the duration of the current stalemate in gold prices [1] - The latest episode of "Steven Trend Equation" has been updated, providing further insights into these market dynamics [1]