The Home Depot, Inc. operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States and internationally. It sells various building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden products, and décor products, as well as facilities maintenance, repair, and operations products. The company also offers installation services for flooring, water heaters, bath, garage doors, cabinets, cabinet makeovers, countertops, sheds, furnaces and central air systems, and windows. In addition, it provides tool and equipment rental services. The company primarily serves homeowners; and professional renovators/remodelers, general contractors, maintenance professionals, handymen, property managers, and building service contractors, as well as specialty tradesmen, such as electricians, plumbers, and painters. It sells its products through websites, including homedepot.com; homedepot.ca and homedepot.com.mx; blinds.com, justblinds.com, and americanblinds.com for custom window coverings; thecompanystore.com, an online site for textiles and décor products; hdsupply.com for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and related services; and The Home Depot stores. The Home Depot, Inc. was incorporated in 1978 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

In the U.S. home improvement arena, The Home Depot, Inc. HD and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. LOW reign supreme, two retail giants that have built their empires brick by brick. Together, these companies dominate a market valued at more than half a trillion dollars, commanding the lion’s share of the do-it-yourself (DIY), do-it-for-me (DIFM) and professional contractor segments.
Home Depot, the industry leader, has long leveraged its scale, supply-chain efficiency and strong Pro-customer base to maintain its edge in both sales and profitability. Lowe’s, its closest rival, continues to narrow the gap through store modernization, merchandising enhancements and targeted growth in professional services. While both cater to homeowners and builders alike, their strategic priorities and customer mixes differ, shaping distinct growth trajectories.
As the housing and renovation cycle evolves, the battle for market share between these two retail powerhouses intensifies, making the HD vs. LOW showdown a true test of resilience, execution and long-term market positioning.
The Investment Case for HD
As the undisputed leader in the U.S. home improvement retail market, Home Depot commands a dominant position, estimated at nearly half of the $1-trillion home improvement industry. With a network of 2,353 stores across North America and a growing digital presence, online sales rose 12% year over year in second-quarter fiscal 2025.
The company’s scale and supply-chain depth give it a formidable competitive edge. Its diversified customer base spans DIY homeowners to professional contractors, enabling HD to capture steady demand across residential and small-scale commercial projects even in volatile macro conditions.
Home Depot’s strategic expansion of its Pro ecosystem has been a key growth driver. The acquisitions of SRS and the pending GMS deal have extended its reach into specialty trade segments like roofing, drywall and landscaping, verticals that complement its core retail network.
These moves are expanding HD’s total addressable market while enhancing its ability to cross-sell and fulfill complex, multi-category projects. The company’s investment in trade credit, AI-driven logistics and machine learning for “ship-from-best-location” fulfillment strengthens its professional proposition and operational efficiency.
Home Depot continues to deliver resilient performance, reporting second-quarter fiscal 2025 sales of $45.3 billion, up 4.9% year over year, and maintaining an adjusted operating margin of 14.8%. Its return on invested capital of 27.2% underscores disciplined capital allocation. With a robust dividend payout, consistent cash generation, and an expanding digital and Pro-driven growth runway, Home Depot remains a cornerstone investment in the home improvement sector.
The Investment Case for LOW
Lowe’s stands as the second-largest home improvement retailer in North America, commanding roughly one-fourth of the U.S. market, a position fortified by its expanding Pro and digital ecosystem. In second-quarter fiscal 2025, the company posted sales of $24 billion, up 1.1% year over year, with strong momentum in Pro, Online and Appliances categories. Its adjusted EPS of $4.33, which moved up 5.6%, and an operating margin of 14.7% underscore disciplined cost management through its Perpetual Productivity Improvement initiatives, which continue to enhance efficiency and the gross margin.
Lowe’s is sharpening its edge through acquisitions and innovation. The Foundation Building Materials (FBM) acquisition marks a transformational move, unlocking access to a $250-billion Pro total addressable market and strengthening Lowe’s capabilities in drywall, ceilings and insulation distribution. Combined with Artisan Design Group (“ADG”), this builds a full-spectrum interior solutions platform for large and mid-sized Pros. Lowe’s “Total Home Strategy” extends this focus, integrating Pro services, digital tools like the myFBM mobile app and AI blueprint takeoff technology, and a growing marketplace powered by the Mirakl platform.
With a diverse product mix, an omnichannel reach across more than 1,750 stores, and a rising share of high-value professional customers, Lowe’s is positioning itself for sustainable, long-term growth. Its return on invested capital of 29.5% and strong free cash flow generation ($3.7 billion in the fiscal second quarter) reflect robust financial health. As the company deepens its Pro penetration and expands digitally, Lowe’s stands ready to capture incremental market share in the evolving home improvement landscape.
HD vs. LOW: How Do Estimates Stack Up?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Home Depot’s fiscal 2025 sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies year-over-year growth of 2.9% and a decline of 1.5%, respectively. The consensus estimate for EPS for the current fiscal year has been unchanged in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lowe’s fiscal 2025 sales and EPS suggests year-over-year growth of 1.8% and 2.7%, respectively. The consensus estimate for EPS for the current fiscal year has moved up 0.3% in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stock Performances of HD & LOW
Home Depot’s shares have lost 2.5% in the past year, while Lowe’s stock has declined 7.3%. While both stocks have declined, HD’s outperformance reflects scale advantages, Pro segment growth and strong tech integration. Meanwhile, LOW’s stock performance reflects ongoing transformation efforts tempered by soft DIY sales.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Dive Into Stock Valuation of HD & LOW
Home Depot is trading at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 2.26X, above its median of 2.22X in the last five years. Lowe’s forward 12-month P/S multiple sits at 1.55X, above its median of 1.48X in the last five years. Here, Home Depot is pricier, with the higher forward P/S multiple.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HD vs. LOW: Which Is the Smarter Bet?
Home Depot emerges as the stronger contender, backed by its superior near-term stock performance and robust growth outlook. Its scale, deep-rooted Pro ecosystem, and ongoing strategic expansions through acquisitions like SRS and GMS continue to reinforce its leadership in the sector. The company’s digital transformation, supply chain efficiency, and growing professional customer base create a strong foundation for sustained revenue momentum, even amid a soft housing backdrop.
While Lowe’s remains a formidable rival with solid operational discipline and a strengthening Pro focus, Home Depot’s execution and innovation-driven model gives it an edge in capturing incremental market share. Despite trading at a premium, the valuation appears justified, reflecting investors’ confidence in its growth trajectory and market dominance. For investors seeking stability with upside potential, Home Depot stands out as the sturdier long-term bet in the home improvement duel.
HD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), whereas LOW has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Home Depot vs. Lowe's: Which Home Improvement Titan Holds the Edge?

Key Points
Plug Power has achieved a lot in 2025, and its stock price has more than doubled in just six months.
Plug Power's worst days could be over as its electrolyzer sales boom and hydrogen costs come down.
Its stock price could zoom if Plug Power can become profitable as planned.
Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) was one of the hottest IPOs of its time. The company started off as a developer of fuel cell systems for residential electricity generation. Erstwhile General Electric was an early investor, and the two companies also formed a joint venture in 1999.
Its collaboration with General Electric was one of the biggest selling points for Plug Power's initial public offering (IPO) in October 1999. Investors who bought the IPO weren't disappointed. It was the peak of the dot-com era, and Plug Power shares skyrocketed from a reverse split-adjusted IPO price of $150 per share to an all-time high closing price of $1,498 apiece on March 10, 2000 before subsequently crashing.
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Today, Plug Power stock is trading below $3 per share. What happened?
In its Form S-1 filed in 1999 ahead of its IPO, Plug Power said it expected to incur losses through at least 2003. Now, more than two decades later, the company has yet to turn a profit. Plug Power's inability to meet goals and become profitable has been a major factor in eroding investor confidence and sending the hydrogen stock plunging over the years.
However, shares of Plug Power have surged nearly 250% in just the past six months, as of this writing. A lot is happening at Plug Power, including a recent major project milestone, substantial deals, and a new incoming CEO. In early October, one analyst even raised Plug Power stock's price target to $7 per share. That's a more than 100% upside in just 12 months. Industry experts, meanwhile, project the hydrogen industry to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Could this mark the start of a powerful bull run that transforms Plug Power into a monster stock in five years?
Why has Plug Power stock surged in 2025?
From a business standpoint, 2025 is proving to be a pivotal year for Plug Power. Some of its key moves and achievements this year include:
Launching Project Quantum Leap to reduce annual costs by $150 million to $200 million.
Shifting focus from material-handling equipment like fuel-cell forklifts to green hydrogen production and electrolyzers.
Securing a 5-gigawatt (GW) electrolyzer deal from Australia's Allied Green Ammonia.
Delivering the first of its 10-megawatt GenEco electrolyzer to Galp's Sines refinery in Portugal (Plug Power's largest project worldwide).
Achieving record production at its hydrogen plant in Georgia -- the largest green hydrogen plant in the U.S.
The last two are significant milestones. Scaling up hydrogen production will reduce Plug Power's dependence on third-party suppliers and lower costs, making it become a vertically integrated company. The delivery of its first electrolyzer to Galp validates Plug Power's ability to deliver full-scale commercial hydrogen solutions, unlocking substantial growth opportunities in major markets like Europe.
Most importantly, Plug Power's cost-cutting efforts and better hydrogen pricing are showing up on its numbers.
In the second quarter, revenue from electrolyzers tripled year over year, driving its overall revenue higher by 21%. Plug Power's gross margin, although still negative at 31%, improved drastically from a negative 92% in the year-ago quarter.
Could Plug Power stock become a multibagger in five years?
Plug Power has a game plan for the next five years. It sees "sustainable growth" over the next five years and expects to break even on its gross margin on a run-rate basis by this year's Q4. By the end of 2027, Plug Power expects to become operating-income positive and achieve overall profitability by 2028.
A leadership reshuffle is also underway, with Jose Luis Crespo all set to replace Andy Marsh as the CEO from March 2026. Since joining Plug Power in 2014, Crespo has been instrumental in overseeing the company's global operations, growing its sales funnel to more than $8 billion, and building relationships with key customers like Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart.
Analysts project Plug Power's sales to grow by roughly 24% each in 2026 and 2027. If Plug Power can grow at this pace for the next five years, its sales could triple to $3.5 billion by 2030 and the stock price cross $12 a share, assuming the same number of shares outstanding as of June 30 and a low price-to-sales ratio of 4. That could still be a conservative estimate if Plug Power turns profitable in between.
Of course, a lot could go wrong in between, and it could be too early for Plug Power to become a 10-bagger in five years. Yet, given Plug Power's progress in 2025, the odds look stacked in favor of a lot more upside in the stock price than downside.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Where Will Plug Power Be in 5 Years?

Among the underlying components of the S&P 500 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in PayPal Holdings Inc (Symbol: PYPL), where a total of 90,784 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 9.1 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 57.5% of PYPL's average daily trading volume over the past month of 15.8 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $71 strike call option expiring October 24, 2025, with 8,125 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 812,500 underlying shares of PYPL. Below is a chart showing PYPL's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $71 strike highlighted in orange:
Citigroup Inc (Symbol: C) saw options trading volume of 81,138 contracts, representing approximately 8.1 million underlying shares or approximately 57.1% of C's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 14.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $99 strike call option expiring October 24, 2025, with 6,816 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 681,600 underlying shares of C. Below is a chart showing C's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $99 strike highlighted in orange:
And Home Depot Inc (Symbol: HD) options are showing a volume of 15,190 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 1.5 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 50.3% of HD's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 3.0 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $395 strike call option expiring October 24, 2025, with 1,617 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 161,700 underlying shares of HD. Below is a chart showing HD's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $395 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for PYPL options, C options, or HD options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
SILO Average Annual Return
MTX Dividend Growth Rate
AAT Historical Stock Prices
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy Friday Option Activity: PYPL, C, HD

Investors in Home Depot Inc (Symbol: HD) saw new options begin trading today, for the December 5th expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the HD options chain for the new December 5th contracts and identified one put and one call contract of particular interest.
The put contract at the $380.00 strike price has a current bid of $9.00. If an investor was to sell-to-open that put contract, they are committing to purchase the stock at $380.00, but will also collect the premium, putting the cost basis of the shares at $371.00 (before broker commissions). To an investor already interested in purchasing shares of HD, that could represent an attractive alternative to paying $384.45/share today.
Because the $380.00 strike represents an approximate 1% discount to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the put contract would expire worthless. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 58%. Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change, publishing a chart of those numbers on our website under the contract detail page for this contract. Should the contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 2.37% return on the cash commitment, or 20.08% annualized — at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost.
Below is a chart showing the trailing twelve month trading history for Home Depot Inc, and highlighting in green where the $380.00 strike is located relative to that history:
Turning to the calls side of the option chain, the call contract at the $390.00 strike price has a current bid of $10.00. If an investor was to purchase shares of HD stock at the current price level of $384.45/share, and then sell-to-open that call contract as a "covered call," they are committing to sell the stock at $390.00. Considering the call seller will also collect the premium, that would drive a total return (excluding dividends, if any) of 4.04% if the stock gets called away at the December 5th expiration (before broker commissions). Of course, a lot of upside could potentially be left on the table if HD shares really soar, which is why looking at the trailing twelve month trading history for Home Depot Inc, as well as studying the business fundamentals becomes important. Below is a chart showing HD's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $390.00 strike highlighted in red:
Considering the fact that the $390.00 strike represents an approximate 1% premium to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the covered call contract would expire worthless, in which case the investor would keep both their shares of stock and the premium collected. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 54%. On our website under the contract detail page for this contract, Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change and publish a chart of those numbers (the trading history of the option contract will also be charted). Should the covered call contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 2.60% boost of extra return to the investor, or 22.06% annualized, which we refer to as the YieldBoost.
The implied volatility in the put contract example is 25%, while the implied volatility in the call contract example is 26%.
Meanwhile, we calculate the actual trailing twelve month volatility (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $384.45) to be 22%. For more put and call options contract ideas worth looking at, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
ARPO shares outstanding history
DZSI shares outstanding history
TMSR market cap history
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Interesting HD Put And Call Options For December 5th

The Pro market has long served as a cornerstone of The Home Depot, Inc.’s HD business model, driving consistent growth and profitability. By investing in technology to enhance productivity, building out its Pro ecosystem to address complex customer needs and improving delivery speed for every customer, HD looks to reinforce its position and gain market share. Meanwhile, acquisitions like SRS and GMS deepen Pro relationships and broaden specialty capabilities.
The $18.25-billion SRS Distribution acquisition bolsters the company’s relationships with professional contractors. SRS is a major distributor in the residential specialty trade, catering to professional roofers, landscapers and pool contractors. SRS has become a key growth driver, enabling cross-selling opportunities and expanding the company’s Pro-focused product range.
On the other hand, Home Depot’s $5.5 billion acquisition of GMS marks a significant advancement in its efforts to build a comprehensive Pro distribution ecosystem. GMS brings strong operational capabilities, an extensive distribution network and long-standing customer relationships, further positioning the business as a full-service partner for Pro contractors. This will bolster HD’s organic efforts to serve Pros on complex projects with a wider assortment of interior building products and services and expand fulfillment capabilities.
HD’s GMS acquisition is likely to add a highly complementary adjacent vertical to SRS' business with diverse capabilities, product categories and customer relationships, alongside expanding SRS' distribution footprint across the US and Canada. SRS will have a network of more than 1,200 locations and a sales operation of more than 3,500 associates. On its lastearnings call management cited that it has an additional 400 nodes of distribution to add to SRS’ network of 800. Both acquisitions are designed to provide a competitive edge and position the company for long-term success in the Pro segment.
HD’s Competition
Lowe's Companies, Inc. LOW and Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. FND are the key companies competing with Home Depot.
Lowe’s is solidifying its Pro market leadership through the acquisitions of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials, broadening its presence in the professional market. As a core part of its Total Home strategy, Lowe’s continues to make investments in modernizing its network to boost its omnichannel capabilities. Strong operating momentum, disciplined cash flow and AI-driven initiatives are enhancing productivity and customer engagement. Balanced growth in Pro and DIY segments, supported by digital transformation and partnerships, underpins long-term potential.
Floor & Decor, together with its subsidiaries, is a high-growth, differentiated, multi-channel specialty retailer of hard surface flooring and related accessories and seller of commercial surfaces. The company also focuses on professional and commercial growth through specific programs, financial tools like credit solutions, and dedicated events like "PRO Appreciation Month. Floor & Decor's efforts for professionals include the PRO Premier Rewards program for discounts and loyalty points, design and other support services.
HD’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Home Depot have gained 0.6% year to date against the industry’s decline of 4.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.56X compared with the industry’s average of 20.49X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HD’s fiscal 2025 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 1.5% while that of fiscal 2026 shows growth of 8.3%. The company’s EPS estimate for fiscal 2025 has been stable in the past 30 days while that of fiscal 2026 has moved south in the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Home Depot stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Can SRS and GMS Cement Home Depot's Hold on the Pro Market?

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (Symbol: XLY) where we have detected an approximate $299.0 million dollar inflow -- that's a 1.2% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 101,903,252 to 103,153,252). Among the largest underlying components of XLY, in trading today Home Depot Inc (Symbol: HD) is up about 0.4%, McDonald's Corp (Symbol: MCD) is up about 0.7%, and TJX Companies (Symbol: TJX) is up by about 0.2%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLY Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLY, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLY's low point in its 52 week range is $173.1001 per share, with $243.40 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $237.50. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
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Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
HUM Stock Split History
RSH Insider Buying
IPG Dividend History
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

XLY, HD, MCD, TJX: Large Inflows Detected at ETF

Key Points
Albion Financial sold 28,792 shares of The Home Depot, estimated at ~$11.32 million based on the average price for the quarter.
The transaction represented 0.68% of the fund’s reportable U.S. equity assets under management (AUM).
Albion's post-sale position: 39,187 shares, valued at $15.88 million as of September 30, 2025.
The stake now accounts for 0.96% of AUM, placing it outside the fund's top five holdings.
Albion Financial Group disclosed in an October 20, 2025, SEC filing that it sold 28,792 shares of The Home Depot for an estimated $11.32 million during the third quarter of 2025.
What happened
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 20, 2025, Albion Financial Group reduced its position in The Home Depot (NYSE:HD) during the third quarter.
The fund sold 28,792 shares, bringing its holdings down to 39,187 shares, with an end-of-quarter value of $15.88 million.
What else to know
This was a sell transaction; the remaining stake represents 0.96% of Albion's reportable AUM, down from 1.6% in the previous quarter.
Albion's top holdings after the filing:
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF: $201.96 million (12.20% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Apple: $86.52 million (5.23% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF: $84.40 million (5.10% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Microsoft: $72.24 million (4.36% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Nvidia: $56.10 million (3.39% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
As of October 20, 2025, shares of The Home Depot were priced at $388.89, down 4.31% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 20 percentage points.
Company Overview
Revenue (TTM)
$165.05 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$14.63 billion
Dividend Yield
2.35%
Price (as of market close 2025-10-20)
$388.89
Company Snapshot
The Home Depot offers building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden supplies, décor, installation services, and tool/equipment rentals.
It generates revenue primarily through in-store and online retail sales, as well as installation and rental services.
The company serves homeowners, professional contractors, maintenance professionals, property managers, and specialty tradespeople.
The Home Depot, Inc. is a leading home improvement retailer with a broad product assortment and a nationwide footprint.
Foolish take
After holding roughly 65,000 to 67,000 shares of Home Depot for two years, Albion Financial decided to sell over one-third of its stake in the company last quarter.
A firm like Albion can trim a position like this for any number of reasons, but it looks like the firm timed its sale pretty well, unloading the stock while it was back near all-time highs.
While this may or may not be the case, there's no denying that Home Depot's valuation in the last quarter was higher than normal. Trading at 28 times earnings, Home Depot was well above its 10-year average of 23. Currently, it still trades at 27 times earnings.
This valuation isn't outrageously expensive by any means, but the stock's revenue has been flat over the last three years, and its net income has dipped over the same time.
Making over $20 billion on acquisitions of distributors in adjacent housing niches recently, Home Depot looks like it might be trying to buy growth, which can be a risky proposition for businesses that don't have a long track record of acquisitions.
This added uncertainty, paired with Home Depot's rising valuation, may have combined to make its risk-reward ratio slightly unappealing for Albion, prompting its trimming of the position.
Ultimately, Home Depot dominates the home improvement niche and is actively trying to expand upon its leadership position -- all while paying investors a growing dividend and repurchasing shares consistently.
It won't be a multibagger anytime soon, but it could be a great pick for investors seeking passive income.
Glossary
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or financial institution.
Reportable U.S. equity assets: U.S. stocks that a fund must disclose in regulatory filings, typically large positions or holdings.
Stake: The portion of a company's shares owned by an investor or fund.
Top holdings: The largest investments in a fund's portfolio, usually by market value or percentage of assets.
Quarter: A three-month period used by companies and funds for financial reporting and analysis.
Filing: An official document submitted to regulators, such as the SEC, disclosing financial or ownership information.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
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Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Home Depot, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albion Financial Disposes of $11.3 Million Worth of Home Depot (NYSE: HD) Shares: Should Investors Follow?

Key Points
Manitou sold 30,004 shares of Home Depot; Estimated trade size of $11.80 million for Q3 2025.
The transaction represented 2.06% of Manitou’s reportable U.S. equity assets under management.
Manitou's post-trade stake: 37,869 shares, valued at $15.34 million as of September 30, 2025.
The position now makes up 2.68% of the fund’s AUM as of September 30, 2025, which places it outside the fund’s top five holdings.
On October 17, 2025, Manitou Investment Management Ltd. disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing for the period ended Q3 2025 that it sold 30,004 shares of The Home Depot.
This was an estimated $11.80 million trade based on the average price for the quarter.
What happened
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 17, 2025, Manitou Investment Management Ltd. reduced its stake in The Home Depot by 30,004 shares during Q3 2025.
The estimated value of the shares sold was $11.80 million, calculated using the average closing price for the quarter.
The fund held 37,869 shares after the transaction.
What else to know
The move was a reduction; Home Depot now represents 2.68% of Manitou’s 13F assets under management.
Manitou Investment Management's top holdings after the filing:
Berkshire Hathaway: $84.91 million (14.8% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Alphabet: $81.33 million (14.2% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Idexx Laboratories: $60.74 million (10.6% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Microsoft: $53.19 million (9.3% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
Amazon: $47.31 million (8.3% of AUM) as of September 30, 2025
As of October 16, 2025, shares were priced at $387.39, down 7.46% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 19 percentage points over the past year.
Company Overview
Revenue (TTM)
$165.05 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$14.63 billion
Dividend Yield
2.33%
Price (as of market close 2025-10-16)
$387.39
Company Snapshot
The Home Depot:
Offers building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden supplies, décor, and installation services; generates revenue from in-store and online retail sales, tool rentals, and installation projects.
Operates a large-scale retail model with both physical stores and e-commerce platforms, earning revenue through direct product sales and value-added services.
Serves homeowners, professional contractors, property managers, and specialty trades across the United States.
The Home Depot, Inc. is a leading home improvement retailer with a nationwide presence and a diversified product portfolio.
The company leverages its extensive store network and robust online platforms to serve both consumer and professional markets.
Foolish take
Manitou Investment Management has held The Home Depot for a number of years prior to last quarter's sales.
Home Depot accounted for 6.3% of the firm's portfolio as recently as late 2024. However, the stock has jumped 34% in the last two years alone, and it looked like Manitou wanted to cash in on a portion of its holding while the stock was back near all-time highs.
Said another way, the stock was trading at 29 times earnings during the last quarter -- which equaled its highest levels seen over the last decade. This lofty valuation and Home Depot's rising price may have been enough for the firm to decide to pare down its holding to 2.7% of its portfolio.
From a Foolish investing perspective, Home Depot remains a top-tier compounder -- albeit at a slightly lofty valuation today.
Recently spending roughly $22 billion acquiring distributors adjacent to its core home improvement operations, Home Depot still offers investors mid-single digit sales growth rates, a growing dividend, and ample stock buybacks.
That said, the stock now boasts a market capitalization of nearly $400 billion, so investors shouldn't plan on this being a quick multibagger. Rather, it looks like an ideal dividend growth stock that should keep chugging along, especially if lower interest rates come to fruition.
Glossary
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a fund or firm.
13F assets: U.S. equity securities reported by institutional investment managers in quarterly SEC Form 13F filings.
Reportable U.S. equity assets: U.S. stocks that institutional managers must disclose in regulatory filings, typically large, publicly traded equities.
Stake: The ownership interest or number of shares held in a particular company by an investor or fund.
Top holdings: The largest investments in a fund’s portfolio, usually ranked by market value.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends per share divided by the share price, expressed as a percentage.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Quarter (Q3 2025): The third three-month period of 2025, typically July through September.
Filing: An official document submitted to a regulatory agency, often disclosing financial or ownership information.
Reduction (in position): Selling part of an investment, decreasing the number of shares or value held.
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Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Alphabet and Idexx Laboratories. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Home Depot, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Idexx Laboratories and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Manitou Investment Management Offloads $12 Million of Home Depot (NYSE: HD) Shares: What Should Investors Do?

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 20, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Home Depot, Inc. HD, The Boeing Co. BA, The Progressive Corp. PGR, Frequency Electronics, Inc. FEIM and United Bancorp, Inc. UBCP.
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Home Depot, Boeing and Progressive
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 12 major stocks, including The Home Depot, Inc., The Boeing Co. and The Progressive Corp., as well as two micro-cap stocks Frequency Electronics, Inc. and United Bancorp, Inc.. The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today's research reports here >>>
Ahead of Wall Street
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> Friday Pre-markets Fighting Out of the Red
Today's Featured Research Reports
Home Depot's shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry over the year-to-date period (+1.4% vs. -1.2%). The company's strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results and broad-based sales growth. Comps improved, driven by higher-value purchases and steady demand from both Pro and DIY customers.
HD continues to advance its "One Home Depot" strategy, enhancing the interconnected shopping experience through faster delivery, expanded fulfillment centers, and digital innovation. Online sales rose sharply, reflecting investments in AI, logistics, and personalization. Meanwhile, acquisitions like SRS and GMS deepen Pro relationships and broaden specialty capabilities.
However, HD faces softer demand in big-ticket discretionary categories, reflecting consumer caution amid high interest rates. Margin pressure, currency headwinds, tariffs woes and macroeconomic uncertainty also remain key risks.
(You can read the full research report on Home Depot here >>>)
Shares of Boeing have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry over the past year (+36.5% vs. +16.6%). The company remains the largest U.S. commercial aircraft manufacturer. Steadily growing commercial air travel should boost Boeing's service business unit. Our model also reflects that.
The outlook for Boeing's defense and space business segment also remains optimistic. The acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems should strengthen Boeing's long-term revenue prospects.
However, the shortage of labor continues to pose a threat to this aircraft giant. Trade tensions between the United States and China may cause Boeing to be unsuccessful in the timely delivery of its 737 jets and thereby hurt its operational performance. Supply-chain issues and heightened U.S. import tariffs also pose a threat to this stock.
(You can read the full research report on Boeing here >>>)
Progressive's shares have underperformed the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry over the past year (-9.3% vs. +2.8%). The company continues to gain on higher premiums, given its compelling product portfolio and strength in Personal auto, contributing about 75% of total premiums.
Rate increases, personal auto application increases, improving retention rates and a strong independent agents' network should drive long-term premium growth and generate steady revenues. Investment in digital transformation should support this strength. Progressive has a reinsurance program to offset some of its losses and a strong financial position overall.
All these positives have led to the overvaluation of its shares, the main factor keeping us on the sidelines. A non-conducive geopolitical landscape and macro uncertainties could reduce demand for autos, having a corresponding negative impact on its growth prospects.
(You can read the full research report on Progressive here >>>)
Shares of Frequency Electronics have outperformed the Zacks Instruments - Control industry over the year-to-date period (+93.6% vs. +11.5%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $350.78 million offers strong near-term revenue visibility with a $71 million funded backlog, 64% expected to convert within 12 months, supported by stable demand from government and aerospace sectors. Recent defense wins, including a $3.1 million Patriot Missile contract, underscore the strategic relevance of its proprietary oscillators and clocks.
The company maintains solid liquidity with $29.6 million in working capital and positive cash flow, enabling continued R&D investment and share repurchases. Expansion into emerging technologies and vertical integration enhances product differentiation and supply chain resilience.
However, key risks include Q1 FY26 revenue and margin declines due to program delays and early-stage contract mix, rising SG&A tied to growth initiatives, high U.S. government exposure, and increased inventories. Shares are up 94.3% YTD, trading at premium EV/sales and EV/EBITDA multiples.
(You can read the full research report on Frequency Electronics here >>>)
United Bancorp's shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry over the year-to-date period (+5.2% vs. -3%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $76.79 million offers stable earnings growth supported by strategic investments and prudent capital management. Q2 2025 net income rose 10% YoY to $1.9 million, driven by higher net interest income and a stronger margin (3.65%).
Despite higher costs from new initiatives like the Wheeling Banking Center and Unified Mortgage Division, these are expected to drive long-term asset and fee growth. Dividend increases (8.2% YTD) and a 5.2% forward yield enhance shareholder returns. Asset growth (+3.2%) and capital strength (8.9% of average assets) support future expansion.
However, risks include margin compression from rising deposit costs, a growing unrealized loss on long-duration securities ($17.7 million), and rising nonperforming loans. Operating expenses are rising due to structural investments, pressuring efficiency. The stock trades at a discount to peers (P/E 10.47x vs.10.85x sub-industry).
(You can read the full research report on United Bancorp here >>>)
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.
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United Bancorp, Inc. (UBCP): Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Home Depot, Boeing, Progressive, Frequency Electronics and United Bancorp

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. LOW is transforming home improvement retail with its “Total Home” strategy, embedding artificial intelligence (AI) across operations to enhance customer engagement and associate productivity.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Lowe’s reported $24 billion in sales, up 1.1% year over year, fueled by strong performance in its Pro and DIY segments. Online sales grew 7.5%, thanks to an improved digital experience and the popular Lowe’s Rewards program, which encourages loyalty and repeat purchases.
A standout innovation is Mylow Companion, an AI-powered tool for store associates. The app helps employees provide fast, accurate product recommendations, from estimating mulch needs to suggesting energy-efficient appliances, enabling more personalized service and boosting customer satisfaction. Associates have embraced the tool, which also expands cross-department knowledge and improves productivity.
For customers, Lowe’s offers Mylow, a virtual advisor integrated into its app and website. Mylow guides shoppers through every step of home improvement projects, making it easier for DIY enthusiasts while helping professionals quickly choose the right tools and materials.
AI also strengthens Lowe’s Pro strategy, particularly through the acquisition of Foundation Building Materials (“FBM”). FBM’s AI Blueprint Takeoff technology, now integrated into Lowe’s Pro Desk, automates the extraction of quantities and measurements from digital blueprints, improving accuracy and speeding up large-scale project planning.
With FBM’s 370-branch network and the MyFBM mobile app, offering real-time pricing, order tracking and delivery management, Lowe’s has expanded its reach in key regions like California and the Northeast. By embedding AI throughout its operations and digital ecosystem, Lowe’s is driving sustained growth in its Pro and online businesses, enhancing associate productivity, and strengthening its position in the $250 billion Pro market.
How HD, FND & WSM Are Staying Competitive With LOW
The Home Depot, Inc. HD is harnessing AI to elevate the customer experience through enhanced search functionality and optimized delivery operations across its digital platforms.
Machine learning powers Home Depot’s “ship from best location” system, which identifies the fastest and most efficient delivery routes. The company now offers its widest-ever same-day and next-day delivery coverage, driving more frequent purchases both online and in stores.
Home Depot has also expanded its “buy it again” feature and upgraded its AI-enhanced search capabilities, making it easier for customers to reorder across channels. In-store technology improvements, such as the Order Fulfillment Associate app, now enable batch picking for multiple orders, increasing both accuracy and fulfillment speed.
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. FND is focusing its technology efforts on foundational business systems and core digital commerce capabilities.
The company is implementing a new ERP system for finance and merchandising, spending $2.2 million this quarter and planning $9 million for the year, highlighting Floor & Decor Holdings’ commitment to streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency.
For fiscal 2025, Floor & Decor Holdings plans to invest $35-$40 million in IT infrastructure, e-commerce and store support center initiatives, reinforcing its focus on strengthening omnichannel retail operations.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. WSM is deploying AI across three strategic areas: customer experience, supply-chain optimization and internal operations automation.
Williams-Sonoma has introduced an AI-powered customer service assistant across all brands, improving resolution rates and lowering costs, while developing next-generation digital design tools and a culinary companion for cookware discovery.
Leveraging its vertically integrated model, WSM applies AI end-to-end for forecasting, inventory optimization and delivery accuracy. Williams-Sonoma’s proprietary AI platform automates workflows across finance, HR and technology, driving measurable gains in productivity, software development speed and creative output, ultimately boosting conversion rates and generating cost savings.
#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)
The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.
One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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