New York, January 31, 2026, 11:02 EST — The market has closed.
Home Depot is set to start next week following an announcement to slash roughly 800 corporate positions and mandate five-day office attendance for its corporate team. The stock wrapped Friday’s session up 0.75%, closing at $374.59. (Reuters)
The timing is crucial. Home Depot finds itself at the crossroads of interest rates, home sales, and discretionary spending on repairs and remodels — the very kind of spending that usually spikes when people move.
The link is active again following a tough finish to January for the wider markets, as investors adjust their expectations for interest rates. “Markets are calibrating to Trump’s pick of Kevin Warsh,” noted Michael Hans, chief investment officer at Citizens Wealth, after President Donald Trump put forward former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to replace Chair Jerome Powell. (Reuters)
A state notice revealed 797 layoffs, mostly affecting fully remote positions, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. CEO Ted Decker informed staff that the company is “announcing changes designed to increase our speed and agility,” and confirmed the five-day in-office schedule begins the week of April 6. Separation packages, transitional benefits, and job-placement support will be provided. (ajc)
Mortgage rates continue to drive demand shifts more than any internal restructuring. On Jan. 30, the average 30-year fixed conforming mortgage rate hit 6.064%, according to Optimal Blue data cited by Fortune. (Fortune)
Results from peers might shape trading as well. Lowe’s plans to release earnings on Feb. 25 before the U.S. market opens, providing insight into do-it-yourself trends and spending by professional contractors. (Nasdaq)
At Home Depot, investors will be tuning in for clues on changes in management’s outlook around large-scale projects, delivery logistics, and the “Pro” customer—contractors who purchase in volume and generally show more consistency than weekend DIY buyers. Comparable sales, which exclude new store openings, typically set the tone for the report.
But the risk is clear. If inflation remains stubborn and rates creep higher, housing sales could slow down, while those well-paying jobs might stay frozen—despite Home Depot’s efforts to cut expenses.
Home Depot’s fourth-quarter earnings drop on Feb. 24 at 9:00 a.m. ET will be the next key event. Investors want to see if demand holds up heading into spring and whether cost-cutting efforts lead to more stable profit forecasts. (Homedepot)
