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DKS vs HD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) vs. Home Depot (HD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Divergent momentum: DKS has been weighed down by Foot Locker integration challenges, while HD has shown steadier, if modest, relative performance.
- DKS's core banner remains resilient, but a promotional athletic-footwear market and lower guidance triggered a sharp single-session sell-off in late August 2026.
- HD's growth is housing-dependent, with comparable sales near flat as elevated borrowing costs continue to pressure larger renovation projects.
- Both companies are dividend payers that recently raised payouts, reflecting confidence in cash-flow generation despite different operating backdrops.
- Sector exposure differs materially: sporting goods versus home improvement, creating distinct risk-and-reward profiles for investors.
- On balance, an AI-driven framework would likely lean toward HD for its trend consistency and lower headline volatility relative to DKS.
Introduction
Dick's Sporting Goods and Home Depot are two of the most recognizable names in U.S. retail, yet they serve very different consumer needs. DKS operates in sporting goods and athletic apparel, while HD dominates home improvement and building materials. This stock comparison is relevant for traders and investors weighing consumer-discretionary exposure across contrasting end markets — one tied to discretionary athletic spending, the other to housing turnover and renovation cycles. Recent market activity has highlighted sharp differences in their relative performance, market positioning, and the catalysts driving sentiment, making a side-by-side review particularly timely for those evaluating where momentum and stability may be found.
DKS Overview and Recent Performance
DKS, headquartered in Pittsburgh and founded in 1948, is the largest sporting goods retailer in the United States, with banners including Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, and Public Lands, plus the GameChanger youth-sports platform. The company has expanded aggressively through experiential store formats such as House of Sport and Field House. Its most consequential recent move was the roughly $2.5 billion acquisition of Foot Locker, completed in September 2025, which positioned DKS as a global player in the sneaker market.
The core Dick's banner has continued to deliver positive comparable sales, supported by a differentiated product assortment and growing e-commerce. However, the Foot Locker integration has proven more difficult than management initially signaled. In recent weeks, the athletic-footwear environment has turned increasingly promotional, and Foot Locker's greater reliance on legacy and retro footwear styles has pressured sales and margins. This culminated in reduced full-year guidance and a sharp repricing of the stock, followed by the filing of a securities class action challenging the company's earlier disclosures. These developments have injected meaningful uncertainty into the DKS investment narrative, even as the underlying domestic sporting-goods business remains solid.
HD Overview and Recent Performance
HD is the world's largest home improvement retailer, operating more than 2,300 retail stores alongside a growing distribution footprint serving professional contractors. Roughly 55% of sales come from "Pro" customers, with the remainder from do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners. The company has broadened its Pro exposure through acquisitions such as SRS Distribution and GMS, strengthening its position in roofing and building materials.
Home Depot's recent performance has been characterized by resilience rather than acceleration. Comparable sales have hovered near flat, as persistent housing-market pressure and elevated interest rates have kept consumers cautious on large, discretionary renovation projects. Digital sales and the Pro segment have been relative bright spots, and management has described underlying demand as relatively stable when adjusting for storm-related activity. The company raised its quarterly dividend and provided fiscal 2026 guidance calling for moderate sales and earnings growth. In contrast to DKS's sharp repricing, HD's share-price action has been more measured, reflecting a steadier — though still housing-constrained — operating backdrop.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies occupy distinct corners of consumer retail, and their growth drivers reflect that. DKS is levered to discretionary athletic and footwear demand, a category currently contending with promotional pressure and excess inventory. Its near-term story is dominated by the Foot Locker turnaround and associated litigation, which introduce execution and reputational risk that are largely absent at HD. By contrast, Home Depot's fortunes are tied to the housing cycle: when mortgage rates fall and housing turnover picks up, larger remodeling projects tend to follow, but that recovery has remained elusive.
From a momentum and stability standpoint, the contrast is stark. DKS experienced a sharp, single-session decline on disappointing results and guidance, while HD has traded within a comparatively narrow band on steady-but-unspectacular fundamentals. HD also carries greater scale and a more diversified revenue base, whereas DKS is in the midst of integrating a large acquisition that has yet to prove its value. On the other hand, DKS's core banner continues to take market share and generate positive comparable sales, offering a potential turnaround catalyst if footwear conditions normalize. Investors must weigh DKS's higher upside potential against HD's steadier risk profile.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors — trend consistency, headline volatility, catalyst clarity, and relative positioning — Tickeron's AI framework would likely favor HD over DKS at present. Home Depot's steadier price behavior, stable underlying demand, and clearer (if modest) growth trajectory stand in contrast to DKS's sharp repricing, revised guidance, and unresolved integration and litigation overhangs. The AI's preference reflects a probabilistic assessment of trend stability and risk-adjusted positioning rather than a definitive forecast. Should the promotional footwear environment stabilize and Foot Locker execution improve, DKS's profile could shift quickly, but until those catalysts materialize, the data currently points toward HD as the more consistent relative performer.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DKS is a StrongBuy and HD is a StrongBuy.
Aroon Indicator for DKS shows an upward move is likely
DKS's Aroon Indicator triggered a bullish signal on October 22, 2026. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor detected that the AroonUp green line is above 70 while the AroonDown red line is below 30. When the up indicator moves above 70 and the down indicator remains below 30, it is a sign that the stock could be setting up for a bullish move. Traders may want to buy the stock or look to buy calls options. A.I.dvisor looked at 244 similar instances where the Aroon Indicator showed a similar pattern. In 174 of the 244 cases, the stock moved higher in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move higher at 71%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on DKS as a result. In 60 of 88 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
DKS moved above its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +5.40% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where DKS advanced for three days, in 209 of 299 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where DKS declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
DKS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 49 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 63 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. DKS’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 65 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.560) is normal, around the industry mean (2.368). P/E Ratio (16.119) is within average values for comparable stocks, (17.442). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.148) is also within normal values, averaging (1.159). Dividend Yield (0.034) settles around the average of (0.093) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.524) is also within normal values, averaging (1.057).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 81 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. DKS’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 89, placing this stock better than average.
HD in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026
HD moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 25 of 37 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 12, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on HD as a result. In 47 of 73 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for HD just turned positive on October 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where HD's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
Following a +1.77% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where HD advanced for three days, in 195 of 310 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where HD declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 59%.
HD broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for HD entered a downward trend on October 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 14 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. HD’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 62 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 83 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. HD’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 90, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 91 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: HD's P/B Ratio (19.677) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.543). P/E Ratio (22.902) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.112). HD's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.446) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.177). Dividend Yield (0.028) settles around the average of (0.227) among similar stocks. HD's P/S Ratio (1.781) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.937).
DKS | HD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 29 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 65 Fair valued | 91 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 81 | 83 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 49 | 14 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 56 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 62 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DKS's Valuation (65) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as HD (91) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that DKS’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
DKS's Profit vs Risk Rating (81) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as HD (83) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that DKS’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
HD's SMR Rating (14) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is somewhat better than the same rating for DKS (49) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that HD’s stock grew somewhat faster than DKS’s over the last 12 months.
HD's Price Growth Rating (56) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as DKS (63) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that HD’s stock grew similarly to DKS’s over the last 12 months.
DKS's P/E Growth Rating (45) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as HD (62) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that DKS’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
| DKS | HD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 64% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 11 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 54% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DKS’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while HD’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- DKS’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- HD’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DKS’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HD’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DKS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- HD’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DKS (@Specialty Stores) experienced а +5.64% price change this week, while HD (@Home Improvement Chains) price change was +6.32% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Stores industry was +0.52%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.10%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.78%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Home Improvement Chains industry was +3.79%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.40%, and the average quarterly price growth was -6.34%.
Reported Earning Dates
DKS is expected to report earnings on Nov 24, 2026.
HD is expected to report earnings on Nov 17, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Stores (+0.52% weekly)The specialty stores sector includes companies dedicated to the sale of retail products focused on a single product category, such as clothing, carpet, books, or office supplies. A specialty store could face intense competition from big-box departmental chains, and therefore offering an adequate collection of the product type it specializes in is key in maintaining/growing its market.
@Home Improvement Chains (+3.79% weekly)The home improvement chains industry sells home improvement merchandise and do-it-yourself repair and building goods. Customers include individual contractors or construction managers on one hand; on the other hand, there are retail consumers who’d either buy raw materials/items from the store to do a project on their own, or pay extra for installation services. Products sold include fencing supplies, lumber materials, hardware, lighting fixtures, plumbing supplies, home decor items, bathroom remodel items, roofing materials, tools and wallboard to name a few. The Home Depot Inc., Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. are some of the biggest home improvement retailing companies in the U.S. Allowing all types of customers the flexibility to choose or buy products both offline and online and then having the products shipped to the respective sites/homes are some of the potential drivers of a home improvement chain’s popularity. Many big-box home improvement chains are looking to expand their overseas presence. Supply-chain efficiency and distribution management are some of the key ingredients to grow/make profit in this industry.
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DKS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DKS has been loosely correlated with FND. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if DKS jumps, then FND could also see price increases.