Home Depot’s first-quarter profit decline is due
to a slumping housing market, the company reports.
Home Depot Inc.’s first-quarter profits fell 30% on a sales
increase of less than 1%.
Home Depot blamed much of the decline on the slumping U.S. housing
market. “The housing market continues to be a challenge, and
erratic weather conditions across the United States negatively affected our
spring selling season,” said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. “We believe the
home improvement market will remain soft throughout 2007.”
The company reported a first-quarter profit of $1.05
billion, down from $1.48 billion in the first quarter of 2006. Sales for the
first quarter totaled $21.6 billion, up just 0.6% from the first quarter of
2006.
On the retail side, quarterly sales dropped 4% to $18.5 billion, with
comparable-store sales down 8%. Meanwhile, sales for HD Supply grew 46% to $3
billion - although this increase reflects acquired businesses. Last year, HD
Supply was actively acquiring wholesale distributors. Last February, however,
the company announced plans to possibly shed the wholesale unit.
×