With 2012 just beginning, now's a great time to gauge how the stocks you're interested in are likely to do this year and beyond. By knowing what stock analysts and fellow investors expect from a stock, you'll be smarter about whether you should buy it for your portfolio -- or sell it if you already own it.
Today, let's take a look at Home Depot
Forecasts on Home Depot
Median Target Stock Price | $43 |
Fiscal 2012 EPS Estimate | $2.39 |
Fiscal 2013 EPS Estimate | $2.74 |
Expected Annual Earnings Growth, Next 5 Years | 14% |
Forward P/E | 15.8 |
CAPS Rating | *** |
Source: Yahoo! Finance.
Can Home Depot repeat in 2012?
As you can see, analysts aren't sure what to make of Home Depot right now. The typical target stock price is actually below current levels, showing that analysts haven't quite caught up to the company's share-price growth in 2011. But earnings expectations show continuing healthy growth for the company.
The differing opinions reflect all the uncertainty going on in housing-related companies lately. Beazer Homes
The uncertainty isn't unique to Home Depot. Lowe's
As 2012 gets off on a promising foot in housing, Home Depot could be a prime beneficiary. The question is whether the latest good news will be just another head-fake -- or the real thing.
Housing and home improvement aren't surefire winners for 2012, but we think we've found a better prospect. Look at the Motley Fool's newest special report to find our top stock pick for 2012. It's free, but only for a limited time -- so check it out now.
Click here to add Home Depot to My Watchlist, which can find all of our Foolish analysis on it and all your other stocks.