Lowe’s Vs. Home Depot

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Editor’s Note: Today’s issue of TradeSmith Daily comes from Andy Swan, Senior Analyst of Derby City Insights. Andy has been watching the battle between two home improvement companies and has new proprietary data to share that shows which one may be the better buy.

When something goes wrong at home, you’re either going to Lowe’s Companies Inc. (LOW) or you’re going to Home Depot Inc. (HD).

There aren’t many other options when two companies control an entire market. The home renovation “duopoly” has nurtured a long-standing rivalry between LOW and HD.

While they vie for customers, our social media machine gives us an invaluable investing edge: We can see which brand is winning over consumers in real time. And we can use that intel to make winning trades.


As recently as April, Home Depot had a clear advantage over Lowe’s with consumers, especially in Consumer Happiness.

But the playing field has become particularly treacherous for these home renovation stocks.

Mortgage rates are skyrocketing to decade-highs and home sales are dwindling.


But as the late great real estate tycoon Louis Glickman once said, “The best investment on earth is earth.” Or in this case: home.

And America seems to be taking that wisdom to heart.

Despite the barrage of macro headwinds facing consumers, home renovation mentions are on the rise again — gaining 12% year-over-year:


And our recent data now shows Lowe’s Consumer Happiness reversing course in a dramatic way — increasing by as much as three points year-over-year.

That gives Lowe’s a decided advantage over Home Depot in a key long-term growth indicator.

But is it enough to crown a new home renovation market leader?

I sat down to answer that question for you today in a special video update.