(Bloomberg) -- Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD). rebounded from a string of disappointing results with a fourth quarter that topped analysts’ projections as the U.S. housing market heated up. The shares gained in early trading.
- Earnings per share of $2.28 topped the average prediction of $2.11. The company forecast comparable sales growth of 3.5% to 4% this year, implying an acceleration is likely.
- Same-store sales -- a key measure of a chain’s performance -- gained 5.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the average projection for 4.7% growth, according to Consensus Metrix. The report cheered investors after the stock took a hit in November when the retail giant trimmed its same-store sales outlook.
- Higher U.S. home prices is the metric Home Depot cares most about because when home owners see their property as more of an investment, they increase renovations.
- With this quarter’s results, Home Depot hasn’t missed Wall Street’s profit estimates since the first quarter of 2014.
- Home Depot shares rose as much as 2.6% in premarket trading Tuesday. The stock has advanced 9.8% this year through Monday’s close.
- For the company statement, click here.