Stockchase Opinions

Brian Madden Home Depot HD-N TOP PICK Aug 22, 2024

Aggressive pursuit of pro consumer and 1-stop shopping proposition is helping take share, not only from LOW, but also from general suppliers. Acquisition of SRS takes them into pools, roofing, landscaping; expands its addressable market opportunity. Yield is 2.4%.

Core competitive advantages include expertly knowledgeable floor staff and expanded e-commerce and omnichannel capabilities. 17% compound growth rate over the last decade, bolstered by big share buybacks from time to time. Still 12% off 2021 peak. Trades at 24x earnings. Good combo of value and growth.

(Analysts’ price target is $373.65)
$366.190

Stock price when the opinion was issued

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BUY ON WEAKNESS

It still doesn't sell at 30x PE. If the Fed cuts rates, this will earn more money than people think. Buy at $410-415.

HOLD

This and Lowe's are quality businesses that he's long owned. Healthy profits and capital efficiency. They will benefit if interest rates decline. Be patient.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 06/24, Up 18%)

Still buying here. Purchase of SRS broadens its addressable market further. Getting better at e-commerce. Pursuing repair and maintenance segment.

HOLD

It's a long-term monster he's owned forever. Remains profitable with capital efficiency. Ultimately, it needs to benefit from a home recovery and improvement spend, and that needs lower interest rates. He's patient.

WEAK BUY

Housing has a long way to go, but was up in Q4. She will take any improvement. They have very easy comps. 

PARTIAL BUY

It reports Tuesday. He expects a soft quarter from weak housing, but HD will benefit from the rebuilding from the south-eastern US and the L.A. fires.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Interest rates cuts are stalling, so shares are -7.74% the past month; housing turnover and the weather have been bad. Tool sales are down. It reports tomorrow, but he will buy after that report. He has faith, because when the street was shorting this in 2008's housing crisis, HD gained market share and bought back a ton of shares.

WAIT

He wouldn't buy at this point, consumer is still very weak. YOY organic growth is negative. Still trades at a fairly hefty premium compared to the market and to its own historical levels. He'd wait till consumer and housing are stronger.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 02/24, Up 11%)

Last September, he sold and took profits. Shares are trading ~24x forward PE, for 5% EPS growth. Valuation's expensive. EPS growth rate expectations have come down. Cautious spending by consumers, stock's slipped below 200-day MA. Long-term inflation is dampening the DIYers, sluggish home sales. A name to own early economic cycle, and we're about mid-way through now.

BUY

Owns it because interest rates are coming down by year's end and there's a 5-year super cycle.