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Watch Out for One NYSE- Listed Specialty Retail Company: HD

Aug 08, 2025 | Team Kalkine
Watch Out for One NYSE- Listed Specialty Retail Company: HD
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  • HD:NYSE
  • Investment Type
    Large-cap
  • Risk Level
  • Action
  • Rec. Price (US$)

The Home Depot, Inc

The Home Depot, Inc (NYSE: HD) operates as a home improvement retailer, providing a broad range of products including building materials, home improvement supplies, lawn and garden items, home décor, and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products, both in-store and through its online platforms.

Positive Growth Aspects

  • Strong Revenue Growth Amidst Challenging Environment: Despite a complex macroeconomic backdrop, The Home Depot achieved a 9.4% year-over-year increase in net sales, reaching USD 39.9 billion in Q1 FY2025. This growth was bolstered by resilient customer engagement in smaller home improvement projects and the success of spring merchandising events. Notably, six of the company’s 16 merchandising departments reported positive comparable sales, including key segments such as appliances, plumbing, indoor/outdoor garden, and building materials. While overall comparable sales declined marginally by 0.3%, U.S. comps still managed a positive 0.2%, reflecting stable domestic demand.
  • Pro Segment and Digital Channels Gaining Momentum: The Pro customer segment continued to outperform DIY in Q1, with notable growth in Pro-heavy categories like gypsum, decking, concrete, and siding. Additionally, The Home Depot's online comp sales increased by approximately 8%, underpinned by investments in digital capabilities, including the rollout of the AI-powered "Magic Apron" tool. This tool enhances customer support by translating store-level expertise into a digital interface, driving stronger online conversion rates and user engagement.
  • Supply Chain Efficiency and Sourcing Flexibility: The company’s diversified sourcing strategy emerged as a key strength amid global trade uncertainties. More than 50% of purchases are now sourced within the U.S., and no single foreign country is expected to contribute more than 10% of total sourcing within 12 months. Home Depot also demonstrated remarkable operational discipline through improved in-stock rates, effective supply chain productivity, and reduced shrinkage, all of which supported its competitive positioning.
  • Strategic Progress in Pro Ecosystem Integration: The integration of SRS and its trade credit program with Core Pro customers is progressing well, already demonstrating strong account onboarding and sales lift. SRS contributed USD 2.6 billion in sales and outperformed expectations across its three verticals—roofing, landscaping, and pool supplies. Furthermore, SRS’s infrastructure is being used to build out credit and order management capabilities for the larger Pro segment, laying a foundation for future share gains in the fragmented USD 1 trillion home improvement market.

Growth Challenges

  • Pressure on Margins and Profitability: While top-line performance was robust, profitability metrics weakened. Adjusted diluted earnings per share declined by 3% year-over-year to USD 3.56, while gross margin dropped by 35 basis points to 33.8%, mainly due to the impact of the SRS acquisition and product mix changes. Operating margin also narrowed from 13.9% to 12.9%, even after accounting for intangible amortization. Higher SG&A expenses and increased interest costs further constrained earnings performance.
  • Macroeconomic Headwinds Limit Large Project Demand: Despite strong fundamentals in housing equity and employment, persistent high interest rates have delayed the anticipated uptick in large-scale home remodeling projects. Financing-heavy projects such as kitchen and bath remodels remain under pressure as homeowners hesitate to tap into their home equity. Management acknowledged an estimated USD 50 billion cumulative shortfall in home improvement spend, attributing it to macro uncertainty and consumer caution.
  • Inventory Surge and Efficiency Concerns: Merchandise inventories surged by USD 3.3 billion year-over-year, reaching USD 25.8 billion, largely due to the inclusion of SRS and early seasonal load-ins. While the company maintained high in-stock levels, inventory turnover declined from 4.5x to 4.3x, hinting at a potential drag on operational efficiency. Although no significant overstocking issues were reported, maintaining optimal inventory flow will be critical heading into Q2 and the second half.
  • Earnings Outlook Remains Cautious: Home Depot reaffirmed its FY2025 guidance, projecting flat to slightly declining EPS on a 52-week comparative basis, despite sales growth of approximately 2.8%. Management highlighted foreign exchange pressures, SRS mix impact, and the loss of a 53rd week from the previous fiscal year as contributing factors. The modest guidance reflects ongoing caution around macroeconomic volatility and subdued visibility into big-ticket consumer behavior.

Technical Observation (on the daily chart):

Home Depot's stock has recently turned technically bullish, with a breakout above both its 21-day and 50-day moving averages and a positive crossover indicating upward momentum. The RSI at 65.96 reflects strong but not yet overbought conditions, while rising volume supports the current uptrend.

The Home Depot delivered solid revenue growth of 9.4% in Q1 FY2025, supported by strong performance in Pro segments, increased digital engagement, and strategic sourcing flexibility. However, the company faced margin compression, with adjusted EPS down 3% and gross margins pressured by mix shifts and rising expenses. While consumer demand remained resilient for smaller projects, larger remodeling activity continued to lag due to high interest rates and macro uncertainty. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic as Home Depot leverages its Pro ecosystem and operational strengths to navigate a complex environment.

As per the above-mentioned price action, recent key business and financial updates, momentum in the stock over the last month, and technical indicators analysis, a ‘Watch’ rating has been given to The Home Depot, Inc (NYSE: HD) at the current market price of USD 387.87 as of Aug 08,2025 at 10:30 am PDT. 

Individuals can evaluate the stock based on the support and resistance levels provided in the report in case of keen interest taking into consideration the risk-reward scenario. 

Markets are trading in a highly volatile zone currently due to certain macro-economic issues and prevailing geopolitical tensions. Therefore, it is prudent to follow a cautious approach while investing.

Related Risk: This report may be looked at from a high-risk perspective and a recommendation is provided for a short duration. This report is solely based on technical parameters, and the fundamental performance of the stocks has not been considered in the decision-making process. Other factors which could impact the stock prices include market risks, regulatory risks, interest rates risks, currency risks, social and political instability risks etc. 

Note 1: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Note 2: The reference date for all price data, currency, technical indicators, support, and resistance level is August 08,2025. The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from REFINITIV.

Note 3: Investment decisions should be made depending on an individual's appetite for upside potential, risks, holding duration, and any previous holdings. An 'Exit' from the stock can be considered if the Target Price mentioned as per the Valuation and or the technical levels provided has been achieved and is subject to the factors discussed above.

Note 4: Target Price refers to a price level that the stock is expected to reach as per the relative valuation method and or technical analysis taking into consideration both short-term and long-term scenarios.

Note 5: ‘Kalkine reports are prepared based on the stock prices captured either from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ Capital Markets (NASDAQ), and or REFINITIV. Typically, all sources (NYSE, NASDAQ, or REFINITIV) may reflect stock prices with a delay which could be a lag of 15-20 minutes. There can be no assurance that future results or events will be consistent with the information provided in the report. The information is subject to change without any prior notice.


Disclaimer-

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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.