Q4 sales beat forecasts at Home Depot

(Sharecast News) - The Home Depot reiterated full-year guidance on Tuesday, after fourth-quarter trading at the US DIY chain came in ahead of expectations. The Atlanta-based retailer posted a 3.8% decline in sales in the final three months of the year to $38.2bn, while comparable sales rose by just 0.4%, or by 0.3% in its core US market. However, Wall Street had expected like-for-like group sales to be largely flat.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $2.72, down from $3.13 a year previously but also ahead of analyst forecasts, for $2.54.

The number of customer transactions fell 8.5%. However, the average amount spent per transaction by a customer rose 2.4% to $91.28.

Higher borrowing costs and a weak housing market have weighed heavily on the US DIY market. Last year's storm season was also not as bad as previous ones, affecting sales of roofing materials, generators and other items traditionally sold before and after severe weather episodes.

Ted Decker, Home Depot chief executive, said: "Throughout fiscal 2025 our teams did an incredible job engaging with our customers and growing market share.

"For the fourth quarter our results were largely in line with our expectations, reflecting the lack of storm activity in the third quarter and ongoing consumer uncertainty and pressure in housing."

Looking ahead, Home Depot maintained guidance for total sales growth of around 2.5% to 4.5% in the current year, with comparable sales expected to come in between flat and 2% growth. EPS was slated to grow by between 0% and 4%.

Full-year EPS was $14.49 on total sales of $164.7bn.

Home Depot trades from more than 3,500 locations across America, Canada and Mexico, employing around 470,000 people.

As at 1330 GMT, the New York-listed stock had put on 3% in pre-market trading.