Stockchase Opinions

Jim Cramer - Mad MoneyHome DepotHDBUY ON WEAKNESSFeb 28, 2024

Lowe's and Home Depot reports

Right after the companies recently reported, sellers pulled the trigger before they heard the conference calls, which indicated the companies are doing well. These are good companies and those sellers deserved to lose money. HD announced that their inventory glut of 2023 is now over, that inventory fell 16% last quarter vs. the prior year. Therefore, quarters will improve going forward, especially in the key spring gardening seasoning when sales usually pick up. Also, HD boosted their dividend. As for Lowe's, the CEO announced that high-margin building materials was their best-performing segment, and they will launch a loyalty rewards program in the spring  Further, bad weather impacted sales in January for both companies.

$377.61

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$309.95

As of Jun 04, 2026. Market Open.

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DON'T BUY

They report Tuesday. It's been a huge bust, with shares are going down and down because of the spike in interest rates. He doesn't expect anything food from the quarter this time, but if the quarter isn't terrible there's a chance of a rally.

DON'T BUY

Is getting punished because doubts there will be an interest rate cut because inflation is climbing due to the US-Iran war. Is -9.5% this year.

HOLD

Solidly in consumer discretionary, which explains its fall. Very interest-rate sensitive -- rates didn't go down as much as expected, plus Iran war caused jump in inflation. People defer renovations because they're often funded with loans. Its earnings recovery is deferred, not aborted.

DON'T BUY

They hit a two-year low yesterday. It's a terrible time for housing. This needs a couple of consistent interest rate cuts to go anywhere.

DON'T BUY

It yields 3%. Down 2.41% today and hit a 52-week low. Very disappointing. He needs to see lower mortgage rates and the ICE raids are a problem.  He hasn't given up on this, but it's hard to own.

HOLD

He got stopped out yesterday, losing 10% of his holding. He still likes it. Mortgage rates need to get below 10%.

DON'T BUY

It's a show-me sector, related to the consumer and gas prices. Before the oil shock, HD was still a show-me story with little growth and trading at a high PE.

TOP PICK

Dominant home improvement retailer in US. Its edge is being a one-stop shop for complex, multi-trade projects. Taking share from both LOW and specialty suppliers. Expanded into roofing, building products, and repair/maintenance. Stepped up e-commerce.

13% compound pace of dividend increases over last decade. Lagged effect of interest rate increases in US likely to shore up housing this year and bolster earnings. Yield is 2.50%.

(Analysts’ price target is $407.53)
BUY

Is a major holding. There will be more interest rate cuts. HD is a great way to play the turnaround in housing to come.

DON'T BUY

The low-end consumer is challenged due to high prices and inflation since Covid. Also, it's a cyclical stock. Wait for better certainty.

WEAK BUY

With lower interest rates, buy the homebuilders. They reported a disappointing quarter because interest rates have been too high, but shares have fallen too far, so you can buy it here. Yesterday, they offered encouraging words at investor day if the Fed lowers rates (which it did today).

WATCH

Among the disappointing retail companies. Is very tied to interest rates. The Fed meeting is next week, so things could turn out quickly.

BUY

It reports Tuesday. It was downgraded today. HD suffers from lack of housing turnover and ICE targets day labourers who hang out at HD parking lots. If you think the Fed will cut interest rates next month (he does), them buy this. 

PARTIAL BUY

Was down 1% today. It needs deeper interest rate cuts than 25 points as announced today to get this stock rallying. The stock will still go higher, albeit slowly.

BUY

Trump tariffs will cause a decline in consumer spending. This is why Trump is pressing the Fed to cut interest rates to boost consumer spending. Lower rates will help anything connected to a home equity loan--therefore HD. This is why HD is rallying despite tariff pressure