Telsey notes Home Depot stock sales dip despite strong earnings performance
On Wednesday, Telsey Advisory Group maintained its Market Perform rating on Home Depot (NYSE:) stock with a consistent price target of $360.00.
The firm’s analysis followed Home Depot’s second-quarter earnings release, which revealed an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.67. This figure surpassed both Telsey’s own estimate of $4.64 and the FactSet consensus of $4.53.
The boost in earnings was partly attributed to Home Depot’s recent acquisition of SRS Distribution, which contributed an additional $1.3 billion in sales since June 18. However, excluding the impact of SRS Distribution, Home Depot’s sales saw a decline of 2.4% to $41.9 billion.
Home Depot’s comparable store sales (comp) were more negative than expected, registering at (3.3%) compared to Telsey’s estimate of (1.0%) and the FactSet consensus of (2.2%).
Despite softer sales reflecting a difficult period for the home improvement sector and a sluggish housing market, the company’s adjusted operating margin aligned with Telsey’s forecast and exceeded FactSet expectations at 15.3%.
The company indicated that the home improvement industry faces challenges due to higher interest rates and economic uncertainty. Home Depot has observed cautious consumer behavior, which tends to postpone larger projects in anticipation of potential interest rate cuts that could lower financing costs in the next three to six months.
The company also noted that the shift in consumer spending from goods to services is stabilizing, with the current share of goods spending returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2024, Home Depot has adopted a more conservative outlook and has revised its full-year guidance. The company now expects a decrease in comparable store sales of between 4% and 3% on a 52-week basis, which is a downward revision from the previously forecasted 1% decline.
Additionally, Home Depot projects an adjusted EPS decrease of 1%-3%, contrasting with its earlier prediction of a 1% growth and the FactSet consensus of a 0.3% increase. This updated guidance also takes into account the recent SRS Distribution acquisition.
InvestingPro Insights
Home Depot (NYSE:HD), a prominent player in the Specialty Retail industry, has shown resilience in its financial performance despite a challenging economic climate. According to InvestingPro data, Home Depot boasts a market capitalization of $347.13 billion and operates with a moderate level of debt, which is reflected in its Price / Book multiple of 190.73. While the company’s revenue has seen a slight decline of 2.52% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2025, it maintains a strong gross profit margin of 33.48%. This financial stability is further underscored by the company’s commitment to shareholder returns, having raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and maintained dividend payments for 38 consecutive years. The dividend yield currently stands at 2.57%.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Home Depot is predicted to be profitable this year, with analysts expecting continued profitability based on the last twelve months’ performance. Despite some analysts revising their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, the company’s long-term track record includes a high return over the last decade. For investors seeking more in-depth analysis and additional insights, there are over 15 InvestingPro Tips available, which can be explored for a comprehensive understanding of Home Depot’s financial health and market position.
As the company navigates through economic headwinds and adjusts its full-year guidance, these InvestingPro insights offer valuable context for investors considering Home Depot’s stock. The company’s next earnings date is set for August 13, 2024, which will provide further updates on its performance and outlook.
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