S&P 500 Rebound: Three Stocks Worth Buying Now
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 41 minutes ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Home Depot's Resilience: Despite challenges like rising gas prices and housing market uncertainties, Home Depot (HD) reported revenue exceeding $41 billion in the recent quarter, a 4.8% increase, and reaffirmed its annual guidance, indicating strong consumer engagement and a robust market position amid economic headwinds.
- Nike's Recovery Strategy: After facing tariffs and declining consumer confidence, Nike (NKE) is implementing its 'Win Now' plan to regain market share in wholesale channels, with wholesale revenue rising 5% to $6.5 billion in the latest quarter, showcasing its strong appeal among teens and suggesting a positive long-term outlook.
- Carnival's Profitability Boost: Carnival (CCL) has made significant strides in paying down debt accumulated during the pandemic, reporting record revenue of $6.2 billion and a 50% increase in earnings per share, alongside a $2.5 billion share buyback program, reflecting confidence in future growth.
- Emerging Investment Opportunities: Following market pullbacks, Home Depot, Nike, and Carnival are trading at forward P/E ratios of 20x, 29x, and 11x respectively, all lower than earlier this year, presenting attractive buying opportunities for investors, particularly in the context of economic recovery.
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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: 313.780
Low
320.00
Averages
401.47
High
441.00
Current: 313.780
Low
320.00
Averages
401.47
High
441.00
About HD
The Home Depot, Inc. is a home improvement retailer. It offers its customers an assortment of home improvement products, building materials, lawn and garden products, decor products, and facilities maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products, in stores and online. It also provides a number of services, including home improvement installation services, and tool and equipment rental. It operates over 2,359 stores located throughout the U.S. (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam), Canada, and Mexico. Its stores average over 104,000 square feet of enclosed space, with over 24,000 additional square feet of outside garden area. It also maintains a network of distribution and fulfillment centers, as well as mobile applications and e-commerce websites in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It 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.
- Sales Growth Trend: Home Depot achieved a 0.6% increase in global comparable-store sales in fiscal Q1 2024, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of positive growth, with U.S. same-store sales rising by 0.4%, indicating a steady improvement compared to the previous two years of decline.
- Financial Performance: The company reported total revenue of $41.77 billion, up 4.8% year-over-year, although adjusted earnings per share (EPS) fell by 4% to $3.43, surpassing analyst expectations of $3.41, demonstrating strong financial resilience amid challenges.
- Market Outlook: Home Depot maintained its full-year revenue guidance of 2.5% to 4.5% growth and expects same-store sales to be flat or up 2%, indicating stability in the face of high gas prices and consumer pressure, reflecting gradual industry stabilization.
- Valuation Appeal: With the stock price declining over the past year, Home Depot now trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 20.5 times, making it the most attractive valuation in years, and with ongoing positive same-store sales, investors may consider gradually accumulating shares in this blue-chip stock.
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- Home Depot's Resilience: Despite challenges like rising gas prices and housing market uncertainties, Home Depot (HD) reported revenue exceeding $41 billion in the recent quarter, a 4.8% increase, and reaffirmed its annual guidance, indicating strong consumer engagement and a robust market position amid economic headwinds.
- Nike's Recovery Strategy: After facing tariffs and declining consumer confidence, Nike (NKE) is implementing its 'Win Now' plan to regain market share in wholesale channels, with wholesale revenue rising 5% to $6.5 billion in the latest quarter, showcasing its strong appeal among teens and suggesting a positive long-term outlook.
- Carnival's Profitability Boost: Carnival (CCL) has made significant strides in paying down debt accumulated during the pandemic, reporting record revenue of $6.2 billion and a 50% increase in earnings per share, alongside a $2.5 billion share buyback program, reflecting confidence in future growth.
- Emerging Investment Opportunities: Following market pullbacks, Home Depot, Nike, and Carnival are trading at forward P/E ratios of 20x, 29x, and 11x respectively, all lower than earlier this year, presenting attractive buying opportunities for investors, particularly in the context of economic recovery.
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- Salesforce Earnings Outlook: Salesforce is set to report earnings on Wednesday, with market concerns about its AI business still prevalent; analysts expect revenue of $11.05 billion and EPS of $3.12, and strong revenue growth could alleviate worries about slowing growth in its legacy business.
- Costco Membership Renewal Challenges: Costco will report earnings on Thursday, with expected revenue of $69.73 billion and EPS of $4.93; while high oil prices may pressure profit margins, its membership model and bulk selling strategy are likely to attract consumers, especially during periods of rising gas prices.
- Economic Data Focus: The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index will be released on Thursday, with a year-over-year increase expected at 3.8% and a core increase of 3.3%, which will influence the Federal Reserve's rate hike decisions, leaving the market uncertain about future rate changes.
- Investor Conference Season: This week marks the start of investor conference season, with Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, and others attending the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, where analyst questions may reveal insights into market perceptions of company futures, making it a key event to watch.
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- Financial Performance: Home Depot reported revenue of $41.8 billion for Q1 2026, a 4.8% year-over-year increase, yet net income fell by 4.2%, indicating rising operational costs are impacting profitability.
- Market Challenges: Same-store sales grew only 0.6%, with management forecasting a 1% increase for the full year, reflecting weak consumer confidence and high mortgage rates that continue to affect business performance.
- Strategic Acquisitions: The company acquired SRS Distribution for over $18.2 billion in 2024, along with Mingledorff's and GMS, enhancing its position in the professional segment and tapping into an estimated $1.2 trillion addressable market opportunity.
- Dividend Appeal: With a dividend yield of 2.98%, nearly triple that of the S&P 500's 1.05%, Home Depot's consistent dividend payments, made over 157 consecutive quarters, attract income-focused investors despite a 28% drop from its peak share price.
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- Earnings Beat: Home Depot reported $41.8 billion in revenue for Q1 2026, a 4.8% year-over-year increase, despite a 4.2% decline in net income, demonstrating resilience amid challenging macroeconomic conditions.
- Weak Sales Growth: Same-store sales rose only 0.6%, with management projecting a 1% increase for the full year, reflecting low consumer confidence and weak housing turnover, which dampens spending on renovations.
- Strategic Acquisitions: Home Depot's acquisition of SRS Distribution for over $18.2 billion in 2024, along with purchases of Mingledorff's and GMS, strengthens its position in the professional market, tapping into an estimated $1.2 trillion addressable opportunity.
- Dividend Appeal: With a current dividend yield of 2.98%, nearly triple that of the S&P 500's 1.05%, and a history of 157 consecutive quarters of dividend payments, investors may find the stock's income potential attractive as they await fundamental improvements.
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- Earnings Beat: Home Depot's Q1 revenue reached $41.8 billion, marking a 5% year-over-year increase that surpassed analysts' expectations of $41.5 billion, indicating stable market demand despite rising consumer uncertainty.
- Slight Profit Decline: The net income was $3.3 billion, or $3.30 per share, down from $3.4 billion a year ago, yet the adjusted earnings of $3.43 per share exceeded analyst forecasts, demonstrating the company's resilience in challenging conditions.
- Sales Growth Guidance: Home Depot reaffirmed its sales growth forecast for 2026, projecting an increase of 2.5% to 4.5%, while maintaining comparable store sales growth expectations of 0% to 2%, reflecting a cautiously optimistic outlook for future market conditions.
- Analyst Rating Divergence: Although some Wall Street analysts have lowered their price targets for Home Depot, the majority still consider it a buy, with a projected 23% upside over the next 12 months, reflecting confidence in its long-term value despite current market challenges.
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