This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. ORLANDO, Fla. — Enterprises are overflowing with potential AI use cases, but CIOs are working to weed out the duds and accelerate time to value for the standouts.  The process isn’t easy. Nearly half of AI decision-makers admit their organization struggles to estimate and demonstrate the value of AI, according to Gartner research. IT leaders who fail to connect AI projects t ...

Core Insights - Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a market capitalization of $136.1 billion and is a leading home improvement retailer focused on enhancing homes and businesses through its Total Home Strategy [1] - The company is set to announce its fiscal Q3 2025 results on November 19, with analysts expecting an adjusted EPS of $3, reflecting a 3.8% increase from the previous year [2] - For fiscal 2025, an adjusted EPS of $12.32 is anticipated, marking a 2.7% rise from fiscal 2024, with further growth expected to $13.31 in fiscal 2026 [3] Financial Performance - Lowe's shares have declined nearly 9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.9% rise and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund's 19.4% return [4] - The company reported a better-than-expected Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $4.33 and raised its annual sales forecast to between $84.5 billion and $85.5 billion [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic view on Lowe's stock, with a "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 29 analysts, 18 recommend "Strong Buy," one suggests "Moderate Buy," nine indicate "Hold," and one gives "Strong Sell" [6] - The average analyst price target for Lowe's is $282.12, indicating a potential upside of 16.2% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - The Home Depot, Inc. has a market cap of $384.9 billion and is the largest home improvement retailer globally, with over 2,300 stores in North America and a strong e-commerce presence [1] - Analysts expect Home Depot to report an adjusted EPS of $3.84 for fiscal Q3 2025, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the previous year [2] - For fiscal 2025, an adjusted EPS of $15.01 is anticipated, a 1.5% decline from $15.24 in fiscal 2024, but a rebound to $16.26 is expected in fiscal 2026, representing an 8.3% year-over-year growth [3] Financial Performance - Home Depot's shares have decreased nearly 4% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.9% gain and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund's 18.7% return [4] - Despite weaker-than-expected Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $4.68 and revenue of $45.28 billion, shares rose 3.2% due to a 4.9% year-over-year sales growth and a 1.4% increase in comparable U.S. sales [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view on Home Depot stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating from analysts; 25 recommend "Strong Buy," one suggests "Moderate Buy," nine indicate "Hold," and one advises "Strong Sell" [6] - The average analyst price target for Home Depot is $437.76, indicating a potential upside of 13.2% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - The article compiles significant research calls from Wall Street that are influencing market movements and investor decisions [1] Upgrades Summary - Citizens JMP upgraded eBay (EBAY) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $115, citing improved consumer experience and projected mid-single-digit merchandise volume growth by 2026 [2] - JPMorgan upgraded Coinbase (COIN) to Overweight from Neutral with a new price target of $404, increased from $342, highlighting attractive valuation and monetization opportunities in the cryptocurrency sector [2] - Morgan Stanley upgraded Tractor Supply (TSCO) to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $60, up from $50, noting the company is moving past its investment cycle and returning to normalized levels [2] - Keefe Bruyette upgraded AppFolio (APPF) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $311, emphasizing the stock's underperformance and potential revenue growth acceleration above 20% due to new AI and resident services products [2] - UBS upgraded Alliant Energy (LNT) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $79, increased from $74, driven by load growth, capital expenditure increases, and regulatory alignment [2]

Core Insights - The Pro market is a fundamental aspect of Home Depot's business model, contributing to consistent growth and profitability through technology investments and enhanced delivery speed [1] - Recent acquisitions of SRS Distribution and GMS are aimed at strengthening Pro relationships and expanding product offerings [2][3] Acquisition Details - The $18.25 billion acquisition of SRS Distribution enhances Home Depot's connections with professional contractors, particularly in the residential specialty trade [2] - The $5.5 billion acquisition of GMS significantly advances Home Depot's Pro distribution ecosystem, providing strong operational capabilities and an extensive distribution network [3] - Both acquisitions are designed to create a competitive advantage and support long-term success in the Pro segment [4][9] Competitive Landscape - Key competitors include Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., both of which are expanding their presence in the professional market [5] - Lowe's is enhancing its Pro market leadership through strategic acquisitions and investments in technology to improve customer engagement [6] - Floor & Decor focuses on professional growth through dedicated programs and financial tools, aiming to strengthen its position in the commercial sector [7] Financial Performance - Home Depot's shares have increased by 0.6% year to date, contrasting with a 4.9% decline in the industry [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.56X, higher than the industry average of 20.49X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a projected decline of 1.5% in fiscal 2025 earnings, with an expected growth of 8.3% in fiscal 2026 [11]

Core Insights - Lowe's Companies, Inc. is focusing on growth in a stagnant home improvement market by utilizing recent acquisitions and expanding its Pro platform to tap into unmet demand while managing challenges from weather and interest rates [1][2] Management View - Management describes the consumer as "healthy," supported by positive wealth effects and income growth, with the anticipated flat home improvement market unfolding as expected [3] - A true market inflection is contingent on lower interest rates, as consumers are currently delaying spending in the category [3][4] - The company has significant exposure to big-ticket spending, despite 70% of its business being DIY [4] - Management anticipates an improvement in replacement cycles by 2026, which could lead to better market growth and continued outperformance, contingent on further rate cuts to stimulate housing turnover and release $50 billion in pent-up demand from homeowners [4] Analyst View - The analyst holds a more optimistic outlook that does not rely on further declines in mortgage rates, expecting a 3% growth in Existing Home Sales (EHS) in 2026, driven by better replacement cycles, tax stimulus, and slight inflation [5] - A remodeling cycle is not expected at current rates due to affordability issues and stagnant home price appreciation, presenting a relative risk for the company [6] - The sector is facing challenging year-over-year comparisons due to favorable weather last year and the impact of hurricanes in late September/early October 2024, which added approximately 100 basis points to the third quarter [6] Stock Performance - The analyst rated Lowe's stock as Overweight, with shares trading higher by 0.69% to $245.76 at the last check [7]

Core Viewpoint - Manitou Investment Management Ltd. has reduced its stake in The Home Depot by selling 30,004 shares, valued at approximately $11.80 million, during Q3 2025, resulting in a remaining holding of 37,869 shares [1][2]. Company Overview - The Home Depot, Inc. is a leading home improvement retailer with a diverse product portfolio and a significant presence across the United States [5]. - The company reported a revenue of $165.05 billion and a net income of $14.63 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4]. - The dividend yield stands at 2.33%, with the stock price at $387.39 as of October 16, 2025 [4]. Investment Insights - Following the sale, The Home Depot now constitutes 2.68% of Manitou's assets under management (AUM) [3]. - The stock has experienced a 7.46% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 19 percentage points [3]. - The stock was trading at 29 times earnings during the last quarter, marking its highest valuation in the past decade [9]. Recent Developments - Home Depot has recently invested approximately $22 billion in acquiring distributors related to its core operations, indicating a strategy for growth [10]. - The company continues to offer mid-single digit sales growth rates, a growing dividend, and stock buybacks, positioning itself as a solid dividend growth stock [10].

Core Insights - Lowe's Companies, Inc. is implementing a "Total Home" strategy that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer engagement and associate productivity [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Lowe's reported sales of $24 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.1%, driven by strong performance in Pro and DIY segments [2][10] - Online sales increased by 7.5%, attributed to an improved digital experience and the Lowe's Rewards program [2] Innovations and Technology - The Mylow Companion app, an AI-powered tool for store associates, provides fast and accurate product recommendations, enhancing customer satisfaction and associate productivity [3][10] - Mylow, a virtual advisor for customers, assists shoppers in navigating home improvement projects, catering to both DIY enthusiasts and professionals [4] Strategic Acquisitions - Lowe's Pro strategy is bolstered by the acquisition of Foundation Building Materials (FBM), which includes AI Blueprint Takeoff technology that automates quantity extraction from digital blueprints, improving project planning efficiency [5][10] - FBM's extensive branch network and mobile app enhance Lowe's reach in key regions, contributing to growth in the Pro market valued at $250 billion [6] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Home Depot are also leveraging AI to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, including enhanced search functionality and optimized delivery operations [7] - Floor & Decor Holdings is investing significantly in IT infrastructure to strengthen its omnichannel retail operations [9] - Williams-Sonoma is deploying AI across customer experience, supply chain optimization, and internal operations, aiming for improved productivity and cost savings [11][12]

Core Insights - The strength of the U.S. Dollar significantly impacts various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, and commodities, making it a critical factor for investors to consider in 2025 [1][2] Group 1: Hedge Fund Activity - Hedge funds have recently reversed their short positions on the U.S. Dollar, leading to a 3% rally in the Dollar Index this month, driven by rising tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing gold prices [2][3] Group 2: Company Opportunities - U.S. companies with substantial international exposure, such as Airbnb, Home Depot, and Dow, are positioned to benefit from the stronger Dollar through margin expansion, demand recovery, and improved free cash flow [3][4] Group 3: Airbnb Analysis - Airbnb generates over half of its revenue from non-U.S. listings, making it sensitive to international travel dynamics and currency fluctuations, with a current stock price of $125.91 and a 12-month price forecast of $141.81, indicating a 12.63% upside [4][7] - A stronger Dollar is expected to boost international travel, benefiting Airbnb by encouraging more Americans to travel abroad and making travel services more attractive to U.S. travelers [5] Group 4: Home Depot Analysis - Home Depot stands to gain from a stronger Dollar as it reduces the cost of goods sold, potentially leading to margin expansion and improved gross profit margins, with a current stock price of $391.79 and a 12-month price forecast of $435.42, indicating an 11.14% upside [8][9] - Despite a recent decline of 10.4% in its stock price, analysts maintain a positive outlook, suggesting that the bottom may be near [10] Group 5: Dow Analysis - Dow's stock is currently at 40% of its 52-week high, with a consensus price target of $29.63, implying a 36% upside, as a stronger Dollar could lower input costs and improve free cash flow conversion [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - A new individual business named "欧美特卫浴店" has been established in Zhaoqing City, with a registered capital of 20,000 RMB, focusing on various sales and wholesale activities related to sanitary ware and building materials [1] Summary by Category Company Establishment - The business is registered as an individual business in the Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing City [1] - The registered capital of the company is 20,000 RMB [1] Business Scope - The company’s operational scope includes sales of sanitary ware, kitchenware, and daily miscellaneous products [1] - It also engages in wholesale activities for enamel products, internet sales (excluding items requiring special permits), and sales of building and decorative materials [1] - Additional sales activities include retail of hardware products, sales of fiberglass reinforced plastic products, daily glass products, and building ceramic products [1]