New housing starts fell in April to an 853,000 annual rate, below analysts expectations of 945,000. This represents a 16.5% drop. There was some positive news in the report, as new building permits issued rose 14.3% from a month earlier, signaling that builders are preparing for more construction projects.
The three stocks below rely heavily on the housing market to drive business. The future of the housing market will dictate business growth and may already be represented in the stocks’ valuation.
The market leaders are richly valued
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) is the leading home-improvement retailer in the US and is credited with creating the business model. The chain was founded in 1978 and now operates 2,257 stores across North America.
Results from the company’s most recent fiscal year show that 70.6% of revenue comes from the product groups: plumbing, electrical and kitchen, building materials, lumber, and mill-work, and painting and flooring. The housing market is clearly a driver of these product groups.
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) is the biggest competitor of The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) and operates in the same home-improvement retail space. The company was founded in 1946 and currently operates 1,754 stores across North America. Much like Home Depot, approximately 68% of revenue comes from segments closely tied to housing.
Both companies released quarterly earnings within a day of this writing, and the results were mixed. The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) reported strong results, with revenue increasing by 4.3% and net earnings increasing by $200 million for the quarter.
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) report was not as strong, as same-store sales dropped 0.7% and revenue was flat, below analyst expectations. EPS came in at $0.49, above the prior year EPS of $0.44, but below analyst expectations of $0.51. This was the second quarter in the past four such periods where Lowe’s saw a decline in sales or profits.
While Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) blamed “cooler than normal temperatures and greater precipitation” for the poor results, The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD)’s comments were more telling: “We continue to see benefits from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” according to a press release.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) currently trades at a P/E of 25.9 versus a five-year average P/E of 18.3, while Lowe’s trades at a P/E of 25.7 versus a five-year average of 17.5. It would appear that both companies are pricing in strong future growth.
The specialty player flying high
Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) operates as a specialty retailer of hardwood flooring and hardwood flooring enhancements and accessories. The chain was started in 1994 and has 290 retail locations across North America. The company is clearly reliant on the housing market to drive its business. However, it is important to note that less than 10% of the company’s revenue comes from new home construction. Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) primarily serves the home-improvement market.
Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL)’ stock has been on a tear as of late and trades at $89.80 versus a 52-week low of $26.52. The current P/E is 45.5 versus a five-year average of 24.9.
However, the company’s product sales mix has been moving toward lower revenue/margin products. The company sells solid and engineered hardwoods, laminates, and bamboo, cork and resilient flooring options. Solid hardwoods are the highest-revenue and margin product, and remain the majority of sales.
The problem is that hardwood sales have not kept up with overall sales growth. In 2012, they represented 47% of sales versus 50% of sales in 2011 and 54% of sales in 2010. If the shift in product mix continues this way, it will impose a strain on margins.
Foolish opinion
It remains to be seen if the housing report released last week was just a hiccup or a turning point for housing. As The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) stated, its success was driven by the housing recovery. If housing slows down, so should Home Depot’s strong growth.
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) has been having ongoing financial issues at a time when its main competitor is enjoying great success. Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) is pricing in an enormous amount of growth, but margins could begin to slip as the product mix continues to move to less profitable products. At current valuation levels, these stocks seem to price in all potential growth opportunities.
The article The Ugly Housing Report – Should You Sell? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by John Timmes.
John Timmes has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Lumber Liquidators. The Motley Fool owns shares of Lumber Liquidators. John is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
