Home Depot Announces Job Cuts and Office Return Policy
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HD?
Source: seekingalpha
Home Depot's stock rose by 3.30% and reached a 20-day high amid broader market declines, with the Nasdaq-100 down 1.24% and the S&P 500 down 0.52%.
The company announced plans to lay off 800 workers, primarily in remote technology roles, as part of a strategy to enhance operational efficiency amid weak sales. CEO Ted Decker emphasized the importance of in-person engagement by mandating that all corporate employees return to the office five days a week starting April 6. This move aims to strengthen connections with customers and frontline associates, reflecting the company's commitment to improving business responsiveness and agility in a challenging market environment.
These changes come as Home Depot faces sluggish sales performance due to high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. The company is attempting to adapt to market conditions while maintaining its competitive edge.
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Analyst Views on HD
Wall Street analysts forecast HD stock price to rise
23 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 328.430
Low
320.00
Averages
401.47
High
441.00
Current: 328.430
Low
320.00
Averages
401.47
High
441.00
About HD
The Home Depot, Inc. is a home improvement specialty retailer. The Company offers an assortment of building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden products, decor products, and facilities maintenance, repair, and operations products, in stores and online. It also provides various services, including home improvement installation services, and tool and equipment rental. The Company operates approximately 2,353 retail stores, over 800 branches and more than 325 distribution centers that directly fulfill customer orders across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. Its stores average approximately 105,000 square feet of enclosed space, with approximately 24,000 additional square feet of outside garden area. The Company serves two primary customer groups, including both do-it-yourself (DIY) and Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) customers and Professional Customers (Pros).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Cautious Earnings Outlook: Despite beating earnings expectations in its latest quarter, Lowe's reported a decline in operating income and anticipates comparable sales to be flat or up 2% for 2026, reflecting the challenges posed by the current market environment.
- Spring Promotion Campaign: Lowe's has launched new seasonal promotions, including free same-day delivery for loyalty members on orders over $25, aimed at attracting customers and boosting spring sales, particularly amid heightened economic uncertainty.
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- Promotional Clearance Sales: Following the closure announcement, Great Lakes Ace Hardware initiated a clearance sale with a 20% discount on all inventory, aiming to attract customers for last-minute purchases before the store shuts down.
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See More
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- Housing Market Pressure: In February, the median existing home price reached $398,000, marking the 32nd consecutive month of year-over-year gains, which has made it difficult for new buyers to enter the market, thereby putting pressure on home improvement giants like Lowe's.
- Cautious Earnings Outlook: Despite beating earnings expectations in its latest quarter, Lowe's reported a decline in operating income and anticipates comparable sales to be flat or up 2% for 2026, reflecting the challenges posed by the current market environment.
- Spring Promotion Campaign: Lowe's has launched new seasonal promotions, including free same-day delivery for loyalty members on orders over $25, aimed at attracting customers and boosting spring sales, particularly amid heightened economic uncertainty.
- Focus on Customer Needs: With consumer spending being curtailed, Lowe's is smartly focusing on value and convenience, especially considering that 50% of homeowners need critical renovations they cannot afford, indicating a need for further price optimization to maintain competitiveness.
See More
Big Box Retailers Impacting Small Hardware Stores
- Market Share Competition: According to the Numerator Home Improvement Tracker, Home Depot held 28% of the market share in 2025, Lowe's 17%, and Amazon 11%, collectively dominating about 56% of the market, which has put immense pressure on smaller hardware stores to survive.
- Store Closures Intensify: Great Lakes Ace Hardware announced the permanent closure of its Center Line, Michigan location on March 28, facing fierce competition from a Home Depot located less than two miles away, although no specific reason for the closure was provided.
- Promotional Clearance Sales: Following the closure announcement, Great Lakes Ace Hardware initiated a clearance sale with a 20% discount on all inventory, aiming to attract customers for last-minute purchases before the store shuts down.
- Significant Cost Pressures: The hardware store operator is grappling with increased labor and product costs driven by inflation and rising tariffs, factors that have become common reasons for store closures among many retailers, further exacerbating the challenges faced by small hardware stores.
See More
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- Energy Stocks Surge: Following the outbreak of war in Iran, energy stocks, particularly fertilizer manufacturers, have shown strong performance, indicating robust market demand that could drive profitability for related companies.
- AWS Growth Acceleration: Amazon's cloud unit AWS is no longer lagging behind Microsoft Azure, thanks to its partnership with Anthropic, with expectations for next quarter's margins to exceed market forecasts, boosting investor confidence.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: CrowdStrike has been affected by turmoil in the software market, but the CEO highlighted the positive impact of AI on cyberattacks, indicating long-term growth potential in the security sector, despite high stock prices.
- Healthcare Sector Risks: Eli Lilly faces pricing pressure from competitor Novo Nordisk, but the company is prepared to counter this by increasing volume, with the upcoming launch of its GLP-1 obesity drug expected to drive growth.
See More
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- Market Correction: The Nasdaq Composite has fallen over 10% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 is down 7%, indicating a correction phase that could push the S&P 500 into bear market territory, necessitating cautious investor strategies.
- Poor Performance of Large Caps: Despite the overall market downturn, lower-weight sectors like energy and consumer staples have held up relatively well, yet nearly all of the top 10 S&P 500 stocks are in their own corrections, with four down over 20%, highlighting market fragility.
- Investor Sentiment Impact: During corrections, investors often mistakenly assume that significantly down stocks represent good buying opportunities; however, companies like Palantir Technologies must maintain high growth even in bear markets, placing pressure on investors.
- Blue Chip Investment Opportunities: Despite market challenges, blue-chip stocks like Home Depot, which has made strategic acquisitions in the contractor space, show recovery potential, currently trading at a low P/E of 22.5 and offering a reliable 2.8% dividend yield, making them attractive for long-term investors.
See More
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- Market Correction Status: The Nasdaq Composite has dropped over 10%, while the S&P 500 is down 7%, indicating that the market is in a correction phase, which could impact investor confidence and future investment decisions.
- Stock Performance Disparity: Among the top 10 S&P 500 components, four stocks have fallen more than 20%, highlighting the market's high concentration, which poses greater risks for investors heavily exposed to these large-cap companies.
- Investment Strategy Adjustment: In the current market environment, investors need to be cautious about stocks that have declined, avoiding blind pursuit of low prices, especially for companies like Palantir, which has a high P/E ratio of 122, despite rapid business growth, indicating potential overvaluation risks.
- Long-Term Investment Opportunities: Despite the market downturn, companies like Home Depot, with a stable dividend and a reasonable valuation (22.5 times earnings), present ideal options for long-term investors, especially as they may rebound quickly when the economic cycle turns.
See More
Home Depot CFO to Participate in J.P. Morgan Retail Round Up Forum
- Executive Forum Participation: Home Depot's CFO Richard McPhail will participate in J.P. Morgan's Retail Round Up forum on April 9, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the retail sector and likely attracting investor interest.
- Live Streaming and Archiving: The forum will be streamed live at 9:00 AM ET, with an archived version available on the company’s website approximately one hour after the live event, enhancing transparency for investors unable to attend in real-time.
- Company Scale and Impact: As of fiscal year 2025, Home Depot operates 2,359 retail stores and over 1,250 SRS locations globally, employing more than 470,000 people, showcasing its significant influence in the home products retail market.
- Market Position: Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, with its stock listed on the NYSE and included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500, reflecting its solid standing in the capital markets.
See More
