STOCKCHASE

Doesn’t need a housing recovery to do well. Have a repair and maintenance area. Taking share away from Lowes (LOW-N). Think they will grow from the low to mid-teens in earnings. Housing recovery would be a major bonus for them.

2011-06-01

SELL

37.570

Christine Poole

It suffered because of the housing crisis, which is on the path to a slow recovery. HD has been buying back stock. She is not that interested in owning the space.

2011-03-30

BUY on WEAKNESS

34.550

His model price is $36.56, only a 7% upside so it is fully valued. If it got down to $30 or less, ($24 would be a great Buy) you could buy.

2010-05-27

PAST TOP PICK

35.890

(A Top Pick May 6/09. Up 42%.) This was a play on consumer confidence.

2010-05-12

BUY

35.870

Steven Conville

Doesn't think you can go wrong with either Lowe's (LOW-N) or Home Depot (HD-N) as a momentum play in the next 6 to 12 months. Would like to see a better US economy before calling either a core hold in for a long-term hold. Use a 10%-15% stoploss.

2010-05-03

PAST TOP PICK

35.270

(A Top Pick May 6/09. Up 39.44%.) Still a buy.

2010-04-21

HOLD

28.130

Tied to housing and consumer recovery, which is just starting. You can expect that things will get better. Well managed. Earnings at about $1.40, which he thinks can double from here. Lowes (LOW-N) could be an alternative play but this is more about being in the sector.

2010-01-13

DON'T BUY

28.650

Steven Conville

US has a lot of government incentives for renovations, new homes and building in general. Problem is this spending eventually falls back on the taxpayer. Has had a pretty nice run. If more government cash is pumped into the system this might go $4-$5 higher based on manufactured earnings. If you own you might want to take some profits.

2009-12-18

BUY

22.660

Has spent the housing recession retooling and getting their shop in order. Coming out of this he thinks they will be quite a force.

2009-07-08

DON'T BUY

23.200

Charles Bobrinskoy

Good buy for the next 3-5 years? If you go that long he would say yes but he thinks there are still problems in housing. Not that cheap as a stock at about 16X earnings. Also has some problems with the quality of this company.

2009-06-16

TOP PICK

26.040

Have done a lot to change their operations. Will probably earned $1.30 this year but on a normalized basis can earn twice that.

2009-05-06

HOLD

22.280

David Abella

US housing bubble has completely reversed and housing is getting weaker and weaker. Not only does retail have to improve, but housing has to improve. Will be dead money for a while.

2009-01-21

HOLD

24.710

Jeff Parent B. Eng. FCSI

(Market Call Minute.) Lot of competition. Chart indicates it is entering into consolidation. Resistance level at around $25.

2009-01-05

Comment

24.250

Greg A. Taylor, CFA, BBA

Had a decent bounce off the bottom in the last few weeks. This is because it is a front-end stock. People look for whatever companies will start to bounce when things start to recover.

2008-12-08

Comment

21.570

Alan Kral , CFA, CIC

If you believe, as he does, that housing is at or very close to a bottom, this will be a decent stock. He also owns Lowes (LOW-N), which he thinks is a higher quality vision for the consumer market. Consider selling this and buying Lowes

2008-10-28

PAST TOP PICK

29.500

(A Top Pick Sept 20/07. Down 16%.) Consumer discretionary. Didn't make a lot of money off this one, but did make money off of Lowes (LOW-N). His model price is $30.66, a 5% differential. Sold his holdings.

2008-09-11

Comment

27.170

Charles Bobrinskoy

This is a company that you can analyze. They are still making money despite all the problems in housing. He prefers Lowes (LOW-N) because they are the better company with better prospects. Trades at a low multiple.

2008-08-27

DON'T BUY

25.960

Laura Wallace

Forecasting a down 24% for the balance of the year. US housing market has not bottomed yet and inventories remain very high. Consumer will be forced into a savings mode and won’t be spending. Time to Buy may be early next year.

2008-08-19

SELL

27.370

Gavin Graham

(Market Call Minute.) A sell for as long as the US consumer remains cash strapped. Earnings were down 66% ands sales were off.

2008-05-20

Comment

29.530

John O'Connell, CFA

(Market Call Minute.) Prefers Rona (RON-T).

2008-05-15

Comment

28.920

Q: Would you buy Lowe's (LOW-N) or Home Depot (HD-N)? A: Lowe’s is a much better run company and you should look to buy it at these levels.

2008-04-24

DON'T BUY

25.760

Gavin Graham

(Market Call Minute.) Housing is going to get worse in the US.

2008-03-06

HOLD

29.380

Laura Wallace

(Market Call Minute.) Still a little bit of downside in the stock but the housing market will turn.

2008-01-30

BUY

26.250

Has recession, quasi depression priced into the stock. Could have been his Top Pick as well as Lowes (Low-N). Very cheap.

2008-01-17

BUY

29.590

John O'Connell, CFA

12 PE and over 3% yield. Have to be patient with this name. In the short term, its fortunes are going to be tied with the housing market recovery but long-term should be a good holding. Currently you are seeing all the signs of a pretty protracted bear market in housing. Quality company with great stores and great locations.

2007-12-10

SELL

29.070

Paul Thornton

Earnings have been tailing off for about 4 quarters now.

2007-11-16

SELL

28.050

Housing market continues to look very bad.

2007-11-09

DON'T BUY

31.680

Benj Gallander

Doesn't buy stocks over $25, because when times are bad there is further to fall. Thinks there is more risk then reward.

2007-10-18

VAGUE

31.680

Bob Stodgell

Likes the stock. Thinks there will be a great opportunity in the next 3 or 4 months in this entire sector. If you are holding for 5 years, fine. If you are short term, then wait.

2007-10-18

TOP PICK

33.650

The model price on this company has been moving up. There is a 58% upside. Market hates consumer discretionary. Fundamentals are way better than what the prices are.

2007-10-10

PAST TOP PICK

35.320

(A top pick Sept 21/06, up 1%) Still a campaign, dirt cheap stock. Going to be a top pick.

2007-09-20

TOP PICK

35.320

Going to move, consumer discretionary. 43% positive differential.

2007-09-20

PAST TOP PICK

34.770

(A Top Pick Aug 31/06. No change.) In his top 10. A lot of the stocks are being affected by consumer debt in the US. His model price is $49.25, a 44% positive differential.

2007-08-22

BUY

36.750

Jonathen Wellum, B. Comm, B. Sc

In his top 10. His model price is $51.91. That's a 40% positive differential.

2007-07-27

BUY

37.300

There is pressure in the housing market, but is largely contained to aggressive lending. This company has a wonderful franchise. If you have a longer-term view, they are a great long-term business. Generates exceptional amount of free cash flow. Buying back stock.

2007-07-26

DON'T BUY

37.950

Ian Nakamoto

In a restructuring mode. Thinks it will eventually work out, but will take some time. Deals that renovations in the US will be weak.

2007-07-24

BUY

40.150

Pat Naccarato

Anything relating to housing has been impacted. Believes that when the recovery happens in housing, stock is significantly undervalued. Right now, Lowes (LOW-N) has a better value.

2007-07-17

PAST TOP PICK

37.360

James Cole, BA, CFA

Then $38.12Weakness in housing and home improvement retailing. Has sold it.

2007-06-12

PAST TOP PICK

37.660

Then 34.29 37.5% positive differential. Had for a year 1/2 or so.

2007-06-07

DON'T BUY

41.760

CEO left but, unfortunately, the board did not go with him. If you feel the home renovation market in the US is cooling off, and it's not a good buy.

2007-02-13

WATCH

41.440

Jonathen Wellum, B. Comm, B. Sc

Has been a dismal performer but is starting to slowly improved. New CEO has to change things around. You won't get rich in the near-term.

2007-02-12

BUY

41.000

Well-run company. Expanding and growing their business. Strong franchise. With the cash flow it’s generating and management that is attuned to the business, it should be a 10%-12% grower in the next 3 to 5 years

2007-02-09

BUY

41.080

He has a model price of $51.40, an upside of 26.1%.

2007-02-01

DON'T BUY

41.070

Steve MacMillan

For a long-term view of 2 or 3 years, the stock will be higher than it is today. However, 2007 could be a transition year for them. Earnings estimates have continued coming down. With stay on the sidelines for the time being.

2007-01-03

PAST TOP PICK

38.910

Larry Berman CFA, CMT, CTA

(A Top Pick Sept 21/06. Up 8.1%.) A cheap stock. Model price of $51.67, a 32% positive differential.

2006-12-21

PAST TOP PICK

39.960

David Taylor, MBA, CFA

(Top Pick Sept 12/06. Up 9.4%.) Housing market is going to level off in the US. Just increased its dividend an will be buying back some stock. Acquired 7 renovation stores in China.

2006-12-18

HOLD

38.280

Charles Lannon

American retailers generally, have been hit hard this year, as fears of the slowdown in the US economy. A very well run company, rational competitor, and dominant in geographic areas of the States. Great cash flow generator.

2006-11-17

DON'T BUY

37.200

The US housing sector is extremely challenging for the analysts. Expected it to bottom out over the summer and come off its lows, but it really hasn’t done much. Still thinks there’s some issues ahead. Would like it to retest its summer’s lows before he would recommend it.

2006-11-02

PAST TOP PICK

35.760

(A Top Pick Aug 2/06. Up 5.2%.) Would still recommend this one.

2006-10-17

TOP PICK

35.850

Model price is $51 which is a positive differential of 40%.

2006-09-21

TOP PICK

36.660

David Taylor, MBA, CFA

ROE every year is 22/25%. Strong free cash flow. No debt. They buy back a ton of stock. Trades at 10 X earnings. Based on renovations, not new home sales.

2006-09-12

BUY

34.770

Paul Gardner, CFA

Has fallen off about 20% due to home sell off's. Trades about 10 X earnings. Cheap historically. Will probably take a while to move up because the sentiment is really poor. Well diversified.

2006-09-05

TOP PICK

34.290

One of the cheapest stocks you can buy.

2006-08-31

WEAK BUY

34.720

David Driscoll

Stock looks cheap from a metric standpoint. Earnings continue to grow and dividend are rising. As the housing slowdown occurs, with this have a negative or positive impact on the stock? Probably a decent entry point.

2006-08-17

TOP PICK

34.110

The news for the US housing is very negative and the stock has been hit. His model price is $51.92 which is a positive 52% differential. Cheapest it's been in 15 years.

2006-08-02

BUY

34.020

Near its 52-week low. Trading at a lower price to earnings multiple than any time in its history. People are worried about a slowdown in the housing/renovation market. Has been skidding for a while in spite of increasing its earnings for a year. Very cheap.

2006-07-27

DON'T BUY

34.380

Not one of his favourite stocks. Management credibility is an issue. They are losing market share to Loews (LTR-N). With interest rates up, the housing market has softened and renovations will also be softening.

2006-07-11

BUY

36.750

David Taylor, MBA, CFA

His best contrarian call right now. The stocks are probably discounting a recession. Effectively trading around 8 X earnings. Pristine balance sheet. About $6 billion free cash flow. They buy back their own stock. Pays a dividend.

2006-06-14

DON'T BUY

36.290

If you want to be in the home renovations market, he would choose Loews (LTR-N) instead. Have a better store format as well as better management. Would be concerned about home building in the US.

2006-06-13

TOP PICK

38.120

James Cole, BA, CFA

It seems there is an apocalyptic sentiment on anything related to housing. This is driven prices down giving an opportunity to buy at a good price. Trades at 12 X this year's earnings.

2006-05-31

BUY

37.700

Relatively cheap. There is a sense that the housing market is going to slow down so the stock has languished. Doesn't feel this is correct.

2006-05-26

VAGUE

41.580

David Driscoll

As long as the American Economy continues to grow, it's a decent buy.

2006-02-24

BUY

41.130

Just added to their portfolio. Told caller to definitly hold on to what he had.

2006-02-14

BUY

41.280

The whole home improvement sector has been under pressure because of worries that the housing boom is going to implode. Resale homes are at record levels so doesn't think the renovation trend has come to an end. The stock has probably been oversold.

2006-01-19

DON'T BUY

40.120

The hurricanes didn't seem to have much effect on them. The parts of the US affected is only a small part of their operations. What they really have to worry about is housing starts and home renovations and competition.

2005-10-25

DON'T BUY

38.710

The hurricane disaster is already reflected in the share price. The stock has gone nowhere for at least a year.

2005-09-20

TOP PICK

43.950

Danny Tomka

Over the long term, this can continue to grow. Just symptomatic of what's going on in the market place, people putting a lot more money into their homes. Continues to execute. Raising the average ticket price. Getting more into the installation. Trying to get closer to contractors.

2005-07-20

WEAK BUY

40.970

David Burrows

Has been firming up recently. Home builders continue to perform really well. There seems to be a fair bit of real investment dollars flowing towards the larger cap growth oriented companies. If you own, keep an eye on housing stocks such as KB Home (KBH-N) D R Horton (DHI-N), etc.

2005-07-13

PAST TOP PICK

39.140

(A Top Pick Apr 21/05. Up 8.5%.) His worry on this stock has to do with the US housing market. Just starting to see signs of that market starting to cool off.

2005-06-23

BUY

36.020

Was overvalued, so had a pull back. Well managed. A good entry price.

2005-04-22

TOP PICK

36.670

A contraversial pick as a lot of people think the building and renovation boom is on its last leg. Probably the best management in its space. Have gone into the contracting business and are expanding into Mexico. They have potential to really grow this company.

2005-04-21

TOP PICK

37.690

Danny Tomka

Stock has been weak. As rates have been rising, people are worried about a housing slowdown. Their volumes have not been directly with new home sales, but with transactions. Good management. Churns out roughly $3 billion in cash flow. Trades at 14 X earnings. Sees it growing at 10% over the next couple of years.

2005-03-29

DON'T BUY

38.030

Bruce Campbell

A typical consumer growth/staple in the US in that it's (even in US $'s) went up a little and now has come off a bit. So big now that the growth is less than the P/E multiple and the P/E being 20'sh even with low rates doesn't offer much upside. Would prefer something smaller.

2005-03-24

BUY

39.760

George Loughery

In the midst of a restructuring. They may be able to keep a leg up in a bit of a downmarket by pursuing restructuring. Changing spaces to be more friendly to women which has paid off. Moving into appliances.

2005-03-15

BUY

39.970

like it. Expansion to Mexico has potential. Expansion to contracting services/hardware/building supplies has potential. Quarter was good. Would hold up to $45.

2005-03-08

HOLD

41.140

Ron Meisels

Fell below the 200 day moving average in '03. We are now in a bull market and is above its 200 day moving average. Sitting on fairly good support. Use $38 as your stop/loss level.

2005-02-01

BUY

42.590

A good story and has great management. Can see a lot more upside in the stock. Expects global growth also.

2004-12-16

BUY

40.790

John Zechner

Feels the street is a little too negative on this stock as well as housing related stocks. Feels the story is still good. It has held up and there is still some growth. Valuation is lower than it has been for some time.

2004-10-27

HOLD

38.310

Ross Healy

Has been hitting against a major technical resistance. Fair Market Value is a lot higher than its current price. Tied closely to the home market and if anything untoward happens to this sector, it will drop with it. Has come through even in bad times.

2004-09-17

BUY

37.540

Ray Steele

Has been a juggernaut. Continue to roll out their platform all over the place.

2004-09-10

BUY

36.330

Bob Stodgell

An excellant company. Interesting to see them carve out market share. A good core holding.

2004-08-24

TOP PICK

36.360

Frank Cappiello

2004-08-20

TOP PICK

33.140

Gretchen Lash

Looking for higher topline growth.

2004-08-13

TOP PICK

33.720

Ed Brown

Chosen for its predictability and deliverability.

2004-07-30

TOP PICK

36.300

Took an enormous hit about two years ago when Lowes was considered the better company. Have done a terrific job in refurbishing their stores. They also extended their brand to installations. Currency risk should now be out of the stock.

2004-02-17

BUY

34.860