The Home Depot reported mixed second quarter fiscal 2024 results, with total sales increasing slightly to $43.2 billion.

The Home Depot (HD) announced its second quarter fiscal 2024 results, revealing a mixed performance that reflects both growth and challenges.

The company’s total sales for the quarter amounted to $43.2 billion, a slight increase of 0.6% from the same period last year. This figure includes $1.3 billion from the recent acquisition of SRS Distribution Inc. (SRS), which contributed approximately six weeks of sales during the quarter. Despite this boost, comparable sales for the quarter decreased by 3.3%, with U.S. comparable sales declining by 3.6%.

Operating income stood at $6.5 billion, slightly down from $6.6 billion in the previous year, with an operating margin of 15.1%.Net earnings for the quarter were $4.6 billion, or $4.60 per diluted share, compared to $4.7 billion, or $4.65 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $4.67, just a cent below the $4.68 reported in the previous year. The marginal decline in earnings was attributed to higher interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainties that pressured consumer demand. Despite these challenges, CEO Ted Decker praised the team’s resilience and dedication in navigating the current economic landscape.

Home Depot Beats Q2 EPS and Revenue Expectations, Reports Decline in Comparable Sales

When comparing the current quarter’s performance against expectations, The Home Depot’s results present a nuanced picture. Analysts had anticipated an earnings per share (EPS) of $4.54 and revenue of $42.6 billion for the quarter.

The company exceeded these expectations, posting an EPS of $4.60 and revenue of $43.2 billion. This outperformance in revenue, albeit slight, can be partially attributed to the inclusion of sales from the SRS acquisition. However, the decrease in comparable sales indicates underlying challenges in the core business operations, which were not fully offset by the acquisition.

The company’s operating income and margins also showed slight declines compared to the previous year. Operating income for the quarter was $6.5 billion, down from $6.6 billion, and the operating margin decreased to 15.1% from 15.4%.

On an adjusted basis, operating income remained flat at $6.6 billion, and the adjusted operating margin was 15.3%, down from 15.5%. These figures suggest that while the company managed to maintain its profitability levels, it faced increased costs and pressures that impacted its margins.

Home Depot Cuts Fiscal 2024 Guidance

Looking ahead, The Home Depot has updated its fiscal 2024 guidance to reflect the performance in the first half of the year and the integration of SRS.

The company now expects total sales to increase between 2.5% and 3.5%, including the 53rd week, which is projected to add approximately $2.3 billion to total sales. SRS is expected to contribute around $6.4 billion in incremental sales. However, comparable sales are anticipated to decline between 3% and 4% for the 52-week period, indicating a continued challenging environment for consumer demand.

The company also provided detailed expectations for its financial metrics. Gross margin is projected to be approximately 33.5%, while the operating margin rate is expected to be between 13.5% and 13.6%. On an adjusted basis, the operating margin rate is forecasted to be between 13.8% and 13.9%. The Home Depot also plans to open approximately 12 new stores and expects a tax rate of around 24%. Net interest expense is projected to be approximately $2.2 billion.

The company anticipates a 53-week diluted earnings-per-share percent decline between 2% and 4%, with the 53rd week expected to contribute about $0.30 of diluted earnings per share compared to fiscal 2023.

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