The Home Depot (Home Depot or “the company”) is one of the world’s largest home improvement retailers. Home Depot sell an assortment of building materials, home improvement, and lawn and garden products. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It employed 221,770 people as of January 2008. The company recorded revenues of $77,349 million in the financial year (FY) 2008, a decrease of 2.1% over 2007. The operating profit of the company was $7,242 million in the FY 2008, a decrease of 18.3% over 2007. The net profit was $4,395 million in FY 2008, a decrease of 23.7% over 2007.
http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Home_Depot_(HD)
Home Depot's 2007 revenue of $77.3 billion nearly doubles that of its nearest competitor, Lowe's (US$ 48 billion). HD Supply, the segment that catered to professionals, contributed nearly 80% of all revenue growth for Home Depot from 2005 to 2006, and until reports confirmed its sale, was expected to drive a large portion of the company's future growth. However, despite a disappointing price of only $8.5 billion, selling HD Supply may not have been a bad idea--while the professional supply business offers strong revenue growth opportunities, it also generated lower operating margins than retail (5-8% to retail's 8-12%). Also, the HD Supply business was even more exposed to changes in the housing market than some parts of Home Depot's traditional retail business.
Companies involved in the housing market
Construction and home improvement
· D.R. Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), Pulte Homes (PHM), Lennar (LEN), and other residential construction companies are highly leveraged to conditions in the housing market.
· Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's Companies (LOW), both home improvement re ...