Stock price when the opinion was issued
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.
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.
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%.
(Analysts’ price target is $373.65)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.