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HD vs LOW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Home Depot (HD) vs. Lowe's Companies (LOW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Tickeron AI Verdict: HD currently holds the edge over LOW on trend consistency, scale, and relative resilience in a soft housing backdrop.
- Both retailers face the same headwinds—elevated mortgage rates and cautious do-it-yourself (DIY) spending—yet HD has held up better on a relative basis in recent market activity.
- HD leans on a larger, more established professional (Pro) and wholesale distribution ecosystem, while LOW is still integrating its recent Pro-focused acquisitions.
- Analyst consensus is broadly constructive on both names, but HD carries a stronger aggregate rating and a larger market capitalization.
- Explore more on each ticker: HD Major News, HD Today's Price Move, LOW Major News, and LOW Today's Price Move.
- To see how automated strategies are positioning across the market, explore the Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's Companies (LOW) are the two dominant players in the U.S. home improvement retail sector, which makes a direct stock comparison a recurring exercise for investors tracking consumer spending, housing turnover, and contractor demand. Both businesses are closely tied to the same macroeconomic forces, including mortgage rates, home equity, and discretionary renovation budgets. The distinction comes down to scale, strategy, and how each company is navigating a period of cautious consumer behavior. This comparison is most relevant to investors seeking relative performance and market positioning within a cyclical, interest-rate-sensitive industry, rather than a broad sector call.
HD Overview and Recent Performance
Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, operating roughly 2,360 warehouse-format stores across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, alongside a growing wholesale distribution network. In recent quarters, the company has tilted its strategy toward professional contractors through acquisitions such as SRS Distribution and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) distributor Mingledorff's, expanding its addressable market while broadening its mix beyond DIY retail.
Recent market activity reflects a familiar tension. HD reported fiscal first-quarter sales of about $41.8 billion, up 4.8% year over year, with comparable sales up 0.6% and adjusted earnings ahead of consensus, and it reaffirmed full-year guidance. Still, margins compressed as cost pressures and acquisition-related amortization weighed on profitability, and several analysts trimmed price targets. The stock has underperformed the broader market over the past year, but its scale, dividend track record, and Pro momentum have kept relative performance steadier than many retail peers.
LOW Overview and Recent Performance
Lowe's Companies operates as the second-largest home improvement retailer, with a substantial store base across the United States and Canada. Its "Total Home" strategy emphasizes Pro customers, home services, digital capabilities, and loyalty programs, supported by recent acquisitions including Foundation Building Materials (FBM) and Artisan Design Group (ADG).
In recent market activity, LOW has posted several consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales, including a roughly 0.2% gain in its most recent quarter, with strength in Pro-driven categories, online sales, and appliances. However, comparable transactions have declined, reflecting softness in discretionary DIY and weather-sensitive seasonal categories. Management also lowered its fiscal-year sales outlook to approximately $92 billion as residential construction pressure and integration costs from its acquisitions continue to weigh on results. The stock has declined more sharply than the broader market over the past twelve months, even as its valuation has compressed.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page highlights a curated selection of the platform's automated trading strategies. Tickeron offers hundreds of AI trading bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and set of underlying securities. Rather than listing every available bot, the Trending section surfaces only those strategies best suited to current market conditions, giving traders a focused starting point for evaluating automation across equities, ETFs (exchange-traded funds), forex, and cryptocurrencies. Whether you are comparing home improvement leaders or scanning broader opportunities, these bots provide quantitative signals designed to support decision-making. Visit the Trending AI Robots page to review current top-performing strategies.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies share a near-identical business model but diverge on scale and strategic maturity. HD generates roughly twice the annual revenue of LOW and has built a deeper wholesale and Pro distribution platform over a longer timeline. Lowe's Pro push is newer and still absorbing FBM and ADG, adding integration risk and margin pressure in the near term.
On recent momentum, HD has demonstrated steadier relative performance, while LOW has experienced a sharper drawdown, in part reflecting its larger exposure to residential construction through recent acquisitions. Valuation tells a complementary story: Lowe's trades at a lower forward earnings multiple, but that discount partly reflects weaker near-term earnings visibility. Sector exposure is nearly identical, making execution, balance sheet flexibility, and Pro penetration the primary differentiators for investors weighing relative positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI framework would likely favor HD in the current environment. Home Depot combines greater scale, a more established Pro and distribution ecosystem, stronger aggregate analyst sentiment, and relatively steadier price behavior amid a soft housing cycle. While LOW offers a lower valuation and improving Pro traction, its heavier integration burden and weaker near-term earnings trajectory introduce more variability. The verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: HD currently appears the more consistent, better-positioned of the two for trend-following and stability-oriented strategies.
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 HD is a StrongBuy and LOW is a StrongBuy.
HD in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on October 26, 2026
The 10-day moving average for HD crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 26, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
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 44 of 71 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
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%.
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.
Following a +3.70% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where HD advanced for three days, in 192 of 307 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 135 of 245 cases where HD Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 55%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for HD moved out of overbought territory on November 06, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 36 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 19 of the 36 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 53%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 21 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 November 04, 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 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 Price Growth Rating for this company is 41 (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 52 (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 71 (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 86, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued 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 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 (20.622) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.488). P/E Ratio (24.002) is within average values for comparable stocks, (15.136). HD's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.446) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.177). Dividend Yield (0.027) settles around the average of (0.233) among similar stocks. HD's P/S Ratio (1.781) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.937).
Momentum Indicator for LOW turns positive, indicating new upward trend
LOW saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 13, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 82 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 54 of the 82 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 66%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for LOW just turned positive on October 08, 2026. Looking at past instances where LOW'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%.
LOW 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.
The 10-day moving average for LOW crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 27, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 50%.
Following a +5.24% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where LOW advanced for three days, in 178 of 317 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 113 of 231 cases where LOW Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 49%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
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 LOW 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 61%.
LOW broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 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 SMR rating for this company is 6 (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 Price Growth Rating for this company is 22 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. LOW’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 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 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 Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 73 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. LOW’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 86, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 85 (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: LOW's P/B Ratio (-16.940) is slightly lower than the industry average of (1.488). P/E Ratio (18.965) is within average values for comparable stocks, (15.136). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.222) is also within normal values, averaging (1.177). Dividend Yield (0.022) settles around the average of (0.233) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.202) is also within normal values, averaging (0.937).
HD | LOW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 34 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 91 Overvalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 71 | 73 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 14 | 6 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | 22 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 52 | 45 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 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.
LOW's Valuation (85) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as HD (91). This means that LOW’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
HD's Profit vs Risk Rating (71) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as LOW (73). This means that HD’s stock grew similarly to LOW’s over the last 12 months.
LOW's SMR Rating (6) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as HD (14). This means that LOW’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
LOW's Price Growth Rating (22) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as HD (41). This means that LOW’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
LOW's P/E Growth Rating (45) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as HD (52). This means that LOW’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
| HD | LOW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 63% | 10 days ago 56% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 59% | 6 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 49% |
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).
HD’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while LOW’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- HD’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LOW’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
HD’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LOW’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HD’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LOW’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HD (@Home Improvement Chains) experienced а +5.20% price change this week, while LOW (@Home Improvement Chains) price change was +8.67% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Home Improvement Chains industry was -2.90%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +10.91%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.76%.
Reported Earning Dates
HD is expected to report earnings on Nov 17, 2026.
LOW is expected to report earnings on Nov 18, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Home Improvement Chains (-2.90% 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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LOW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LOW has been closely correlated with HD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LOW jumps, then HD could also see price increases.