Home Depot (HD) stock is struggling for direction Tuesday after the home improvement retailer beat top- and bottom-line expectations for its third quarter and raised its full-year outlook.
In the three months ended October 27, Home Depot's revenue increased 6.6% year over year to $40.2 billion even as its comparable-store sales dipped 1.3% – including a 1.2% decline in the United States. Meanwhile, its earnings per share (EPS) decreased 1.8% from the year-ago period to $3.78.
"While macroeconomic uncertainty remains, our third-quarter performance exceeded our expectations," said Home Depot CEO Ted Decker in a statement. "As weather normalized, we saw better engagement across seasonal goods and certain outdoor projects as well as incremental sales related to hurricane demand. I would like to thank all of our associates for their dedication in serving our customers and communities."
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The results handily beat analysts' expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $39.3 billion and earnings of $3.64 per share, according to CNBC.
As a result of its strong performance, Home Depot raised its full-year outlook. The company now expects to achieve revenue growth of approximately 4%, up from its previous forecast of 2.5% to 3.5%. It added that it expects its earnings per share to decline approximately 1% from the prior year, compared with its previous forecast for a drop of 1% to 3%.
Is Home Depot stock a buy, sell or hold?
Home Depot has done well on the price charts so far in 2024, up 20% on a total return basis (price change plus dividends). And Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish toward the Dow Jones stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst price target is $414.98, representing implied upside of nearly 3% to current levels. Additionally, the consensus recommendation among the 40 covering analysts it tracks is a Buy.
Financial services firm Truist Securities is one of the most bullish outfits on the consumer discretionary stock with a Buy rating and $459 price target.
"While the company had the benefit of favorable/warm weather for most of the quarter and incremental storm-related sales, third quarter unequivocally came in better than what we expected three months ago," says Truist analyst Scot Ciccarelli.
The analyst adds that proprietary data indicated that sales trends continued to improve over the three-month period, both before and after the devastating hurricanes that hit this season.
"Further, as we highlighted in our preview, our data indicated that October was the first monthly year-over-year sales gain for Home Depot and Lowe's (LOW, Buy) in well over two years, which we think is an important inflection in trend," he says.
Related Content
-
Average Net Worth by Age: How Do You Measure Up?Financial advisors discuss the secrets to growing your net worth over time.
-
Three Charitable Giving Strategies for High-Net-Worth IndividualsIf you have $1 million or more saved for retirement, these charitable giving strategies can help you give efficiently and save on taxes.
-
Three Charitable Giving Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals
If you have $1 million or more saved for retirement, these charitable giving strategies can help you give efficiently and save on taxes.
-
The Wealth-Building Powers of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)Health savings accounts could be the most underutilized wealth-building tool out there. Here’s who should use them and how to maximize their benefits.
-
Seven Ways to Be an Absolute Jerk as a LawyerHere's what law students need to know about damaging their relationships with other lawyers and judges and running up the bill for clients.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Are Positively Mixed to Open DecemberTechnology led the way Monday as two of the three main equity indexes closed higher.
-
The Best Retail Stocks to Buy This Holiday SeasonE-commerce is a growing trend, but most folks still prefer to shop in stores. That makes these dominant retail stocks worth a closer look.
-
One Good Way to Withdraw Retirement Assets (and a Bad One)Don't withdraw retirement assets haphazardly. Managing distributions intentionally can lower your taxes, conserve your wealth and reduce Medicare premiums.
-
What Is Capital Gains Tax Deferral?Spoiler alert: It's the secret weapon of savvy real estate investors. Here's how it works and details about the tools you need to do it.
-
Don't Leave Your Heirs an IRA Tax BombYour traditional IRA has served you well, but when your heirs inherit it, watch out. Consider some of these strategies to minimize their tax burdens.
