Home Depot posts higher-than-expected profit
SOURCE:
Reuters
2008-08-19 05:55:22
ATLANTA (Reuters) –
Home Depot Inc (HD.N), the world’s
largest home improvement retailer, reported
higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday as it held
down costs and consumers took on spring projects.
Earnings declined to $1.2 billion, or 71 cents a share, in
the second quarter ended on August 3, from $1.59 billion, or 81
cents a share, a year earlier.
Analysts expected 61 cents a share, according to Reuters
Estimates.
Sales fell 5 percent to about $21 billion, but were better
than the $20.58 billion analysts expected. Sales at stores open
at least a year fell 7.9 percent.
Chief Executive Frank Blake cited “improved execution in
our merchandising and operations initiatives” during the
quarter.
The second quarter is typically one of the strongest for
home improvement retailers as consumers spruce up their homes
in warmer weather. On Monday, smaller rival Lowe’s Cos (LOW.N)
posted higher-than-expected quarterly profit.
Still, the crumbling U.S. housing market has compounded
troubles as higher food and gasoline prices pressure consumers.
The second quarter marked the eighth straight quarterly profit
decline for Home Depot.
As housing has weakened, the Atlanta-based company has
boosted investment to upgrade stores and taken other steps to
improve operations.
Last year, it sold its supply unit, which distributed
building materials. This year, it scaled back its store growth
and is redirecting funds to store maintenance and staffing.
Home Depot, which announced the closure of about 15
underperforming stores in May, is also moving to lower
distribution costs by rolling out more rapid deployment
centers.
Home Depot said it still expected per-share profit from
continuing operations to fall about 24 percent this year, as
sales decline about 5 percent.
(Reporting by Karen Jacobs; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
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