Home Depot reported slower-than-expected sales growth for the first quarter, as spring weather that was colder than usual hurt sales of fertilizer, live plants and other gardening-related items. Sales rose 4.2 percent at all established Home Depot stores during the first three months of the year. It was the lowest quarterly rate of growth since the second quarter in 2015. Neil Saunders, a managing director at GlobalData Retail, said Home Depot may be able to recapture some of the sales lost due to the cold weather. The Atlanta-based company earned $2.4 billion, or $2.08 per share, for the three months ended April 29.

Source: ABC News May 15, 2018 10:32 UTC