HOUSING GAINS AND MILD WEATHER KEEP HOME DEPOT GOING STRONG

The Home Depot’s stock opened at a record-high level today, after announcing they topped first quarter expectations. Mild weather and a strong housing rebound are attributed to their successful first quarter. Revenue increased to $22.76 billion from $20.89 billion. Same store year over year sales rose 6.5% overall,up 7.4% in US stores.

Chairman and CEO Craig Menear said the company saw “week to week demand spikes caused by weather variability”. Home Depot originally forecasted 2016 earnings of $6.12 to $6.18 per share, with revenue predicted to increase 5.1-6% and same store sales to rise 3.7-4.5%. With its positive first quarter, Home Depot now predicts 2016 earnings of $6.27, sales to rise 6.3% and same store sales to rise 4.9%.

Having cited a strong housing rebound as another reason for a strong first quarter, steady growth for the housing market looks like it will continue. The National Association of Home Builders reported continued strong sentiment in May. Low mortgage rates are fueling demand that have boosted expectations for home sales in the next six months to the highest level of the year. More housing data is due out later this week, including housing starts and existing home sales.

Source: US News & World Report, Wall S. Journal