Home Depot Q2 Earnings Call Highlights

Home Depot reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, surpassing expectations with a 5.7% increase in total sales to $47.9 billion and a 1.7% gain in comparable sales. U.S. comparable sales rose 1.3%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 5.1% to $4.92. Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail attributed the results to broad-based demand and the company's execution.

He also addressed CEO Ted Lau's temporary medical leave, expecting his return in a few months. Merchandising Executive Vice President Billy Bastek noted that 13 of the 16 merchandising departments posted positive comparable sales, with storage, electrical, hardware, power, plumbing, indoor garden, kitchen, paint, bath, outdoor garden, building materials, flooring and millwork departments leading the way.

Despite pressure on large discretionary home-improvement projects, big-ticket transactions of more than $1,000 rose 2.4%. Professional customers outperformed DIY customers, with positive comparable sales across several categories. Online sales grew by 11% for the fifth consecutive quarter, with digital traffic and conversion increasing, and the mobile app becoming the fastest-growing digital surface.

Home Depot expanded its Magic Apron tool, which helps associates and customers locate products and find project information, and announced a nationwide rollout of Express Delivery for select items. The company's gross margin increased by 25 basis points year-over-year to 33.7%, driven in part by $685 million in IEEPA tariff refunds.

Gross margin remained at 14.3%, down slightly from the previous year. Home Depot opened three new stores during the quarter, maintaining its store count at 2,364 and reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance.