Home Depot beats estimates

ATLANTA — Home Depot posted Q3 sales and profits exceeding forecasts, as the U.S. housing markets rebounded. Same-store sales increased by 5.5% rather than the projected 4.4%, while net sales rose 6.1% to $23.2 billion. Net earnings also climbed by 14.1% to $1.97 billion, or $1.60 per share. The retailer reiterated its sales outlook of an approximate 6.3% increase for the year. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters anticipated on average a $1.58 EPS on $23 billion.