Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) is heading into next week's investor day under pressure to prove its earnings slowdown has finally bottomed, with investors eyeing fresh 2026 guidance and signs that heavy Pro-focused spending and margin drag are poised to turn.JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers laid out expectations from the upcoming Investor Conference in New York on December 12.DetailsThe analyst views the upcoming event as a potential turning point for the stock, signaling an end to the multi-year flat or d ...

Group 1: Impact of Tariffs on Home Construction - President Trump's tariffs have increased builder costs by $7,500 to $10,000 per home, according to estimates from U.S. homebuilders [1] - Rising lumber prices are expected to add about $4,900 per home on average, significantly impacting the home construction industry [2] - A $1,000 increase in the median price of a new home can disqualify approximately 106,000 potential buyers [1] Group 2: North American Builder's Supply Bankruptcy - North American Builder's Supply filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 3, 2025, reporting estimated assets and liabilities between $500,001 and $1 million [5][7] - The bankruptcy filing is attributed to financial distress, including claims and a lawsuit from creditor Proventure Capital LLC, indicating creditor pressure and litigation [7] - The Chapter 11 filing suggests the company may be seeking reorganization rather than outright liquidation [8]

The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) stock has had a large volume of short-dated out-of-the-money (OTM) calls today. This can be seen in Barchart's Unusual Stock Options Activity Report. It could signal that investors are bullish on HD stock. HD is at $359.64 in midday trading today. The stock peaked on Sept. 11 at $423.22, but it's up from a recent low of $332.38 on Nov. 21. That could provide a good opportunity for covered call plays in the next two days. More News from Barchart HD stock - last 3 months - Barchar ...

Group 1 - The analyst previously assigned a hold rating to Home Depot due to concerns about the US housing market and high interest rates [1] - The Q3 financial results for Home Depot appeared satisfactory at first glance, but further analysis is necessary to understand underlying issues [1] Group 2 - The investment strategy focuses on identifying undervalued companies with long-term growth potential, emphasizing value investing principles [1] - The approach involves purchasing quality companies at a discount to their intrinsic value and holding them for long-term earnings and shareholder returns [1]

Core Insights - Home Depot (HD) reported disappointing Q3 earnings, with overall sales increasing by 2.8% compared to Q3 2024, which is a positive aspect amidst the overall underperformance [1] Financial Performance - The cost of goods sold increased in line with sales, indicating that the company managed its cost structure effectively despite the disappointing earnings [1]

Summary of Lowe's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Lowe's - **Industry**: Home Improvement Retail Key Points Current Market Conditions - The housing market in 2025 has been more stagnant than anticipated, with elevated mortgage rates impacting consumer spending [5][6] - Despite a challenging macro environment, Lowe's has delivered positive comparable sales for two consecutive quarters [6][7] - The DIY customer segment is cautious about big-ticket discretionary spending due to economic uncertainties [6][44] Strategic Initiatives - Lowe's is focusing on a total home strategy, targeting both DIY consumers and small to medium professional customers [7][19] - The company has invested significantly in improving store environments and technology, leading to double-digit positive comps in specific categories like home insulation [15][19] - A loyalty program with over 30 million active members is driving higher spending among participants [14][67] Acquisitions and Market Positioning - Recent acquisitions of ADG and FBM are aimed at expanding Lowe's presence in the single-family and multifamily construction markets, which are expected to recover in the coming years [18][33] - The acquisitions are positioned to leverage Lowe's existing capabilities, such as same-day delivery for appliances, enhancing the overall customer experience [16][33] Long-term Outlook - The company anticipates a recovery in the housing market, with a projected need for 16-19 million new homes by 2033, positioning Lowe's to capture market share in new home construction [31][68] - Lowe's aims to balance its portfolio by integrating commercial construction opportunities through FBM, which currently derives 55% of its revenue from commercial projects [38][39] Operational Efficiency and AI Integration - Lowe's is committed to operational discipline and productivity improvement initiatives, with a billion-dollar commitment for 2025 and plans for 2026 [48][49] - The integration of AI tools, such as the Milo companion tool, is expected to enhance training efficiency and customer service [52][54] Pricing Strategy - Lowe's has maintained a price-competitive stance, focusing on promotional activities to attract consumers in a high-inflation environment [58][60] - The company is leveraging rich data to understand consumer price sensitivity and manage inflationary pressures effectively [59][60] Capital Allocation - Lowe's plans to return to a leverage ratio of 2.75 times by 2027 while continuing to invest in the business, pay dividends, and repurchase shares [63][64] Investment Thesis - Lowe's has demonstrated resilience in a challenging market, maintaining operational performance and market share growth [66][67] - The company is well-positioned for both short-term and long-term growth, with a diversified portfolio that includes DIY, small to medium pro, and complex pro segments [69][70]

Core Insights - Instacart has partnered with The Home Depot Canada to provide same-day delivery services from over 175 stores, enhancing customer access to home improvement essentials during the holiday season [1][2]. Company Overview - Instacart is a leading grocery technology company in North America, collaborating with over 1,800 retail banners to facilitate online shopping and delivery services from nearly 100,000 stores [5]. - The Home Depot is the largest home improvement specialty retailer globally, operating 2,356 retail stores and employing over 470,000 associates [7]. Partnership Details - The partnership allows The Home Depot Canada to be the first nationwide home improvement retailer available on Instacart in Canada, joining over 100 retail banners on the platform [2]. - Instacart's Big & Bulky fulfillment solution will enable same-day and scheduled deliveries for heavy items up to 60 pounds, including large tool sets and renovation supplies [2]. Customer Experience - The partnership aims to create a seamless shopping experience for customers, offering flexibility in shopping options, whether online, through the app, or in-store [3]. - A limited-time promotional offer of $20 off purchases of $80 or more at The Home Depot Canada via Instacart is available until December 8, 2025 [4].

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) is included among the 15 High Quality Dividend Stocks for Long-Term Investors. Telsey Advisory Sees Long-Term Strength in Lowe’s (LOW) Despite Target Reduction Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash On November 20, Telsey Advisory trimmed its price target on Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) to $28​5 f‌rom $305 b⁠ut​ mai‍ntained a​n Outperform rating. After reviewing the third-q‍uarter res‌ults, the firm said it st‌ill expects Lowe’s to ou‍tp‍erform the broader industry thanks ...

Market Overview - US stocks experienced a decline at the start of December trading, with the NASDAQ leading the drop [1] - The ISM Manufacturing Index for November fell to 48.2%, marking the ninth consecutive month of contraction, indicating a slowdown in manufacturing activity [1][20] - Wall Street strategists are cautiously optimistic about stock performance in 2026, although some believe the market may have priced in overly optimistic scenarios [1][2] Economic Indicators - The ISM Manufacturing Index's contraction reflects a pullback in new orders and employment, with significant uncertainty surrounding tariffs and their impact on manufacturing [20][22] - The GDP of manufacturing sectors remains weak, with ongoing tariff uncertainties contributing to a lack of long-term order commitments from customers [24][25] Sector Performance - Healthcare stocks outperformed in November, gaining nearly 10%, driven by a shift in investor focus from large-cap tech to healthcare [38] - Drug makers and medical device manufacturers have shown strength, while managed care stocks have lagged behind due to inconsistent regulatory news and utilization rates [40][42] Supply Chain and Technology - Concerns about supply chain issues, particularly in the tech sector, are expected to impact stock performance in the first half of 2026, with significant increases in inventory purchases reported by major companies [2][3] - The demand for memory chips and networking components is anticipated to create bottlenecks, complicating market predictions [3][5] Retail Insights - Cyber Monday spending is projected to reach $14.2 billion, with a notable shift towards planned purchases rather than impulse buying [60] - Retailers like Macy's are expected to perform well due to strong foot traffic and effective inventory management, despite a tight labor market affecting holiday hiring [62][71] Corporate Developments - Crowdstrike's price target was raised by Key Bank, reflecting confidence in its market position and growth strategy [10] - Carvana is expected to increase its market share in the used car market significantly by the end of the decade, supported by its delivery model [10] - Bareric Mining is considering a spin-off of its North American gold assets, a move prompted by activist investor interest [14]

Key Takeaways HD's Q3 comparable sales rose just 0.2%, missing forecasts amid weak storm-driven category demand.Consumer caution and housing turnover at 40-year lows are pressuring large discretionary projects.HD cut its FY25 comp sales outlook, signaling demand may be settling into a lower equilibrium.The Home Depot, Inc.’s (HD) comparable sales growth of just 0.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, following a 1% increase in the second quarter, raises an important question: Is this soft comparable sales ...