10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2006

HOME DEPOT, INC. Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jul 31, 2005

Filed September 1, 2005For Securities:HD

Summary

The Home Depot reported strong financial performance for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2005. Net sales saw a significant increase of 11.7% in the quarter and 10.0% for the first six months, reaching record levels. This growth was driven by a combination of comparable store sales increases (4.0% in Q2, 3.1% YTD), sales from new stores, and contributions from recent acquisitions within the Home Depot Supply brand. Diluted Earnings Per Share also showed substantial improvement, rising to $0.82 in the quarter and $1.40 year-to-date, compared to $0.70 and $1.18 respectively in the prior year period. The company is actively investing in store modernization, technology, and strategic acquisitions to enhance its business and expand its market reach.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net sales increased by 11.7% to $22.3 billion for the second quarter and by 10.0% to $41.3 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2005, both reaching record levels.
  • 2Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) grew significantly, reaching $0.82 for the quarter and $1.40 for the six-month period, up from $0.70 and $1.18 respectively in the prior year.
  • 3Comparable store sales increased by 4.0% in the second quarter and 3.1% for the first six months, indicating healthy underlying business performance.
  • 4The company is expanding its market through strategic acquisitions, particularly under the Home Depot Supply brand, with $846 million spent on acquisitions in the first six months of fiscal 2005.
  • 5Services revenue demonstrated strong growth, increasing by 27.6% in the quarter and 21.9% year-to-date, highlighting success in installation and home maintenance programs.
  • 6Capital expenditures increased to $1.8 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2005, reflecting ongoing investments in store modernization and new store openings.
  • 7The company announced plans to repurchase an additional $1 billion of its common stock, underscoring a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was primarily driven by a 4.0% increase in comparable store sales, sales from newly opened stores, and revenue generated from recent acquisitions, particularly within the Home Depot Supply segment. Strong performance in key departments like building materials, hardware, and garden/seasonal also contributed.

The company is investing in store modernization and technology, such as the roll-out of its back-end automated receiving (BEAR) project, to improve efficiency and the customer shopping experience. They are also actively pursuing strategic acquisitions to expand their presence in professional markets and growing internationally, with 170 stores in Canada and Mexico by the end of the quarter.

The company recorded $80 million in impairment charges and $24 million in inventory markdown expenses related to the decision to close or convert 20 EXPO stores in the first six months of fiscal 2005. Management expects remaining EXPO stores to remain profitable.

Home Depot maintains a strong liquidity position with $2.3 billion in Cash and Short-Term Investments as of July 31, 2005. They are actively repurchasing shares, with $1.4 billion remaining under their program and an additional $1 billion authorized in August 2005. Dividends paid to stockholders also increased by $85 million year-over-year.