Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Home Depot (HD) 2013 Review

Home Depot operates a chain of retail building supply/home improvement stores  in the US, Canada, Mexico and China.  The company has grown profits and dividends at a 7-20% pace over the past 10 years earning 14%+ return on equity.  HD experienced difficulties in the 2007-2008 economic downturn; however, the company took steps that have led to improvement in its profitability. This trend should continue as a result of:

(1) altered its in-store focus designed to maximize profitability and to make them simpler, more customer friendly,

(2) the company’s size and dominant market position in a highly fragmented industry allows it to achieve economies of scale in purchasing products and to develop exclusive brands with selective suppliers giving it a competitive advantage,

(3) improving housing market,

(4) share buybacks.

Negatives:

(1) it is in a highly competitive industry,

(2) a high unemployment rate will keep a damper on consumer discretionary spending,

(3) its international exposure increases the risk of losses from currency fluctuations.

Home Depot is rated A++ by Value Line, carries a 43% debt to equity ratio and its stock yields 2.1%.

   Statistical Summary

                 Stock      Dividend         Payout      # Increases  
                 Yield      Growth Rate     Ratio       Since 2003

HD            2.1%           16%              46%              8
Ind Ave      1.4              13                 37               NA 

                Debt/                    EPS Down       Net        Value Line
             Equity         ROE      Since 2003      Margin       Rating

HD           43%          45%           3                 7%          A++
Ind Ave     34             26            NA                7             NA

     Chart

            Note: HD stock made great progress off its March 2009 low, quickly surpassing the downtrend off its July 2007 high (red line) and the November 2008 trading high (green line).  Long term the stock is in an uptrend (straight blue lines).  Intermediate term it is an uptrend (purple lines).  Short term it is in a trading range (brown line).  The wiggly blue line is on balance volume.  The Dividend Growth and High Yield Portfolios own full positions.  The upper boundary of its Buy Value Range is $41; the lower boundary of the Sell Half Range is $117.




10/13

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