Groupe la Francaise Raises Holdings in The Home Depot, Inc. $HD

Key Points

• Groupe la Francaise increased its Home Depot stake by 154.2% in the second quarter, holding 23,438 shares valued at approximately $8.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 70.86% of the company.
• Home Depot exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $4.92 in EPS and $47.86 billion in revenue, up 5.7% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share, equivalent to a 2.9% annualized yield.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $375.54, versus the stock’s reported opening price of $320.94. Meanwhile, insiders sold 9,154 shares worth $3.13 million over the past 90 days.

Groupe la Francaise increased its stake in shares of The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD - Free Report) by 154.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 23,438 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 14,218 shares during the period. Groupe la Francaise's holdings in Home Depot were worth $8,204,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of HD. Bank of Nova Scotia acquired a new stake in shares of Home Depot during the 2nd quarter worth about $118,723,000. Gator Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Home Depot during the fourth quarter worth about $3,693,000. AFT Forsyth & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Home Depot in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,896,000. Field & Main Bank acquired a new position in shares of Home Depot in the second quarter valued at approximately $6,286,000. Finally, King Luther Capital Management Corp lifted its stake in shares of Home Depot by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 1,240,478 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $426,848,000 after buying an additional 7,180 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.86% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Home Depot

In related news, EVP Teresa Roseborough sold 2,455 shares of Home Depot stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $328.77, for a total transaction of $807,130.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,622,834.97. The trade was a 14.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Michael Rowe sold 710 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $336.76, for a total value of $239,099.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,838 shares in the company, valued at $2,302,764.88. This trade represents a 9.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 9,154 shares of company stock worth $3,132,798. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Home Depot Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:HD opened at $320.94 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.64, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 1.08. The Home Depot, Inc. has a 1 year low of $289.10 and a 1 year high of $426.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $320.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.46, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $338.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $335.58.

Home Depot (NYSE:HD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 18th. The home improvement retailer reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.73 by $0.19. Home Depot had a net margin of 8.41% and a return on equity of 106.42%. The firm had revenue of $47.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $47.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.68 EPS. The company's revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. Home Depot has set its FY 2026 guidance at 14.690-15.278 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that The Home Depot, Inc. will post 15 earnings per share for the current year.

Home Depot Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be paid a $2.33 dividend. This represents a $9.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. Home Depot's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.22%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on HD shares. Telsey Advisory Group decreased their target price on shares of Home Depot from $435.00 to $410.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Home Depot from $320.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 17th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price objective on Home Depot from $348.00 to $325.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 19th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $398.00 target price on shares of Home Depot in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $377.00 price target on shares of Home Depot in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Eighteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Home Depot presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $375.54.

Home Depot Company Profile

The Home Depot, Inc NYSE: HD is a leading home improvement retailer that operates large-format stores and an integrated online platform offering a broad range of products and services for do-it-yourself consumers, professional contractors and businesses. The company was founded in 1978 by Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Since opening its first stores at the end of the 1970s, Home Depot has grown into a multinational retailer known for its orange-branded stores and wide assortment of home improvement merchandise.

Home Depot's core business includes the sale of building materials, lumber, tools, hardware, appliances, paint, plumbing and electrical supplies, lawn and garden products, and home décor.

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