New York, January 25, 2026, 10:56 EST — The market has closed.
- Shares of Home Depot ended Friday’s session up 0.7%, closing at $383.77.
- The upcoming Fed meeting on Jan. 27-28, with its decision due Wednesday, stands as the next big macro hurdle for housing-related stocks.
- Home Depot plans to release its earnings on Feb. 24.
Shares of Home Depot (HD) ended Friday up 0.7%, closing at $383.77. It was a modest lift after a volatile run for U.S. equities.
Investors are eyeing the Federal Reserve’s upcoming two-day meeting on Jan. 27-28. The policy decision is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., followed by Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. (Federal Reserve)
That’s crucial for Home Depot, since expectations around rates directly impact housing turnover and demand for major renovations. U.S. benchmarks closed mixed Friday after a turbulent week: the Dow slipped 0.58%, while the S&P 500 nudged up 0.03%. “We feel pretty good about where we are today,” said Jason Blackwell, chief investment strategist at Focus Partners Wealth. (Reuters)
New consumer data surfaced today. The University of Michigan’s final January consumer sentiment index edged up to 56.4. Still, survey director Joanne Hsu noted that “national sentiment remains more than 20% below a year ago.” (Reuters)
Home Depot’s earnings have leaned strongly on steady repair and maintenance work, reflecting homeowners’ reluctance to make big moves. CEO Ted Decker noted last quarter that “consumer uncertainty and continued pressure in housing are disproportionately impacting home improvement demand.” (Reuters)
During its December investor update, the retailer forecasted fiscal 2026 same-store sales growth between flat and 2% — measuring demand at stores open at least a year. Finance chief Richard McPhail noted the company “has not yet seen a catalyst or an inflection in housing activity.” (Reuters)
Rival Lowe’s climbed 0.65% Friday, closely shadowing Home Depot’s gain. The sector continues to act more like a barometer for rates and housing trends than individual company developments. (MarketWatch)
Things can shift fast. If Powell resists more easing, or if upcoming economic data show inflation sticking around or a cooling jobs market, retail tied to housing could take a hit, even if the broader market holds steady.
This week’s schedule is packed. The Fed will announce its decision Wednesday, coinciding with key U.S. earnings reports. Traders are also watching Tuesday’s consumer confidence data and other releases for signs on demand. (Investopedia)
Home Depot’s next major event is its quarterly earnings report, set for Feb. 24. (Homedepot)
