InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips This morning, management reported mixed results. They beat the bottom line but missed on the revenues. Almost never will Wall Street forgive a retail company for missing the comparable sales. Moreover, they guided below expectations, and these days that is a big no-no. Nevertheless, a 2% dip is minimal given the infraction. This speaks to the quality of the company. Fundamentally, the stock is not screaming cheap but at a 26 price-to-earnings ratio it's not bloated either. So if I have the chance to buy it at a discount even below today's prices, it is not going to be a financial mistake. Rates are rising, and that could put downside pressure on home purchase, which could play into HD's hand. Fewer home sales could mean that more people will renovate their existing abodes and HD is their default supplier. I personally prefer shopping at Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW ) but that's because it's closer to my house and usually less crowded.