Home Depot on Tuesday posted a roughly 4% quarterly sales decline, as a sluggish real estate market and selective spending by homeowners continued to weigh on home improvement demand.

The company also stuck by the current fiscal year forecast that it shared in December at an investor day. It said it expects full-year total sales growth to range between about 2.5% and 4.5% and adjusted earnings per share to be between roughly flat and up 4% from $14.69 in the prior fiscal year. It expects full-year comparable sales growth, which takes out one-time factors like store openings and closures, to range from flat to up 2%.

Despite the fourth-quarter sales decline, Home Depot topped Wall Street’s revenue and earnings expectations for that period.

In an interview with CNBC, Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail said U.S. consumers and the company have “been in a frozen housing environment for three years” – and there hasn’t been a meaningful thaw. 

“What we’ve seen as an added pressure during the last year has been this increase in consumer uncertainty, a gradual decline in consumer confidence,” he said. “And so those are signs we’re watching.”

He said customers have told the company that they are concerned about housing affordability and job losses, dynamics that colored Home Depot’s outlook for the year.

Here’s what Home Depot reported for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025 compared with Wall Street’s estimates, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG:

• Earnings per share: $2.72 adjusted vs. $2.54 expected
• Revenue: $38.20 billion vs.  $38.12 billion expected

Shares rose about 2% in premarket trading on Tuesday, as Home Depot beat earnings expectations after missing estimates three quarters in a row. 

Higher interest rates, lower housing turnover and economic uncertainty have challenged the company, as homeowners delay the pricier projects typically spurred by buying or selling a home. 

As the Atlanta-based retailer waits for business to pick up, it laid off 800 employees and announced a five-day a week return-to-office policy in late January.

Yet some investors anticipate an inflection point could be coming for Home Depot, as mortgage rates moderate slightly. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 5.99% on Monday, matching its lowest level since 2022, according to Mortgage News Daily. 

Home Depot’s biggest selling season, springtime, is also ahead.

McPhail said Home Depot’s business was relatively stable throughout the year, including in the fourth quarter, when adjusting for storms. He said the company is gaining market share, even as the sector lags.

In the three-month period that ended Feb. 1, Home Depot’s net income fell to $2.57 billion, or $2.58 per share, from $3.0 billion, or $3.02 per share, in the year-ago period. 

Revenue dropped from $39.70 billion in the year-ago period. The company said some decline was due to the most recent fiscal year 2025 having one fewer week. The additional week in the 2024 fiscal year contributed $2.5 billion in sales. 

Comparable sales, an industry metric also called same-store sales, increased 0.4% in the fiscal fourth quarter across the business and 0.3% in the U.S.

Store transactions in the quarter across Home Depot’s website and stores dropped by 1.6% year over year, but average ticket rose 2.4% year over year. Big-ticket purchases, which the company defines as those over $1,000, were 1.3% higher than the year-ago period.

Some of those larger orders may reflect higher prices. McPhail said Home Depot has had “modest” price increases, though he declined to say which items and categories now cost customers more.

Higher tariffs have been one of the forces driving price hikes at retailers, including Home Depot. Companies now face a new landscape for import duties after the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that some of the Trump administration’s tariffs were illegal. Soon after the ruling, President Donald Trump said at a press conference that he would pursue alternative tariffs and proposed an across the board global tariff that he has since set at 15%.

He said Home Depot is “still in the middle of our analysis” after the Supreme Court ruling and latest proposed tariffs.

“Not all the information is out right now. Not all the language is final around what was announced,” he said. He added that Home Depot is “as well positioned as anyone to understand any impacts and manage through them.” 

More than half of what Home Depot sells comes from the U.S., according to the company. It’s diversifying its imports, so that no single country outside of the U.S. represents more than 10% of the company’s purchases, McPhail said.

Though do-it-yourself buyers have cut back, the company still has a more stable business segment.

A growing business from home professionals, such as contractors and roofers, has boosted Home Depot’s overall business. It acquired SRS Distribution, a company that sells supplies to roofing, landscaping and pool professionals, for $18.25 billion last year in 2024 and bought GMS, a specialty building products distributor, for about $4.3 billion last year. 

Pro sales were stronger than do-it-yourself sales during the fourth quarter, McPhail said, though he declined to share specific figures. 

Home Depot opened 12 stores in fiscal 2025 and plans to open 15 additional stores this fiscal year.

The company also announced on Tuesday that its board of directors increased its quarterly dividend by 1.3%, or 3 cents, to $2.33 per share. It will be payable next month.

As of Monday’s close, Home Depot shares are down about 2% over the past year, but up about 10% year to date. That compares to the S&P 500’s nearly 14% gains over the past year and its roughly flat performance year to date.

Student accommodation developer reports 9% increase in adjusted earnings to £232.3m for 2025, while strategic shift targets top-tier institutions

Unite Students experienced a dip in occupancy levels throughout its portfolio, though this was balanced by strong demand at leading elite universities.

The student accommodation provider posted a 9 per cent rise in adjusted earnings to £232.3m for 2025. Nevertheless, its statutory profit dropped by 78 per cent owing to a reduction in the valuation of the property portfolio.

The company’s portfolio occupancy declined to 95.2 per cent for the 2025/26 academic year, down from 97.5 per cent, with empty rooms primarily in Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield due to elevated supply and softer demand.

Nevertheless, the Bristol-headquartered FTSE 250 firm witnessed demand staying strong at top-tier universities, where applications increased by 6 per cent. Consequently, Unite stated it intends to boost its portfolio alignment to these institutions from 67 per cent to 80 per cent.

Unite completed the £530m takeover of Empiric Student Property in January 2026, bringing in 7,700 beds; though the portfolio is presently underperforming with 89 per cent occupancy, significantly beneath Unite’s core portfolio, as reported by City AM.

“We are working closely with the Empiric team to drive performance across the portfolio,” it added.

The company also observed that supply in private houses in the multiple-occupation sector has decreased by 9 per cent over four years due to climbing mortgage costs and new regulations, such as the Renters’ Rights Act, pushing more students towards purpose-built student accommodation. Despite the difficult trading environment, the company recommended a final dividend of 24.9p, taking the full-year payout to 37.7p, representing a 1 per cent rise on 2024.

The figures come on the heels of Unite’s £100m share buyback programme, launched in January to redistribute excess capital to investors.

Chief executive Joe Lister said the group “delivered a robust performance in 2025, with strong trading across the majority of our portfolio offset by weaker demand in a small number of cities for the 2025/26 academic year.”

Alongside its financial results and disposal announcement, Unite confirmed the appointment of Duncan Cooper as non-executive director and chair (designate) of the audit and risk committee.

Cooper currently serves as chief financial officer at Travis Perkins, having previously held the position of group finance director at Crest Nicholson, as well as senior finance roles at Sainsbury’s.

President Donald Trump will formally call on tech companies to pay more for electricity for new data centers, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Trump is expected to make the call during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, announcing new “rate payer protection pledges” the administration has negotiated with top tech companies. The pledges require tech companies to pay increased electricity costs in communities where new AI data centers are being built, officials told the Journal.

Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress is expected to put the economy front and center, pairing working-family guests with a data-driven case on affordability in addition to various economic policy announcements.

Trump is slated to begin his speech at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Tuesday evening from the U.S. Capitol. The Journal reported that Trump made edits to the speech over the weekend.

TRUMP HITS THE ROAD TO SELL ECONOMIC WINS, AS REPUBLICANS BRACE FOR HIGH-STAKES MIDTERM SHOWDOWN

President Donald Trump will address the nation before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. (Reuters/Carlos Barria / Reuters)

“President Trump’s State of the Union Address will celebrate 250 glorious years of our nation’s independence and excellence, highlighting incredible stories of American heroes throughout the speech,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital ahead of the speech.

Touting Trump Accounts, tax cuts in the “big, beautiful bill,” lowering drug prices and working to ease the ability of American families to purchase a home are among Trump’s top orders of business, Fox News Digital learned. The president also is expected to make undisclosed economic policy announcements during the speech. 

The economy is a top concern for voters as they prepare to vote for a new Congress in November, which follows Democrats’ 2025 winning campaign strategy around “affordability.”

TRUMP APPROVAL CLIMBS AS REPUBLICANS RALLY BEHIND PRESIDENT’S AFFORDABILITY AGENDA: POLL

Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent has been a key figure in Trump’s economic policy. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

A White House official told Fox News Digital that Trump invited guests tied to the various economic initiatives in his speech, including Catherine Rayner of Norfolk, Virginia. Rayner and her husband have been navigating fertility complications and in vitro fertilization for five years, with Rayner becoming the first patient of the portal earlier in February when it rolled out. 

The couple’s spending on fertility medications dropped from roughly $4,000 to $500 under the program, Fox News Digital learned.

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The president is also expected to invoke his well-known populist tone in the speech, including to speak out against “special interest groups” that have been entrenched in power despite “ripping off” and leaving working Americans behind, a White House official told Fox News Digital. 

Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.

The New York Times’ Wordle puzzle continues its daily streak of brain-teasing challenges, with players worldwide tackling No. 1,709 on Sunday, February 22, 2026, and No. 1,711 on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. These recent entries highlight the game’s mix of moderate difficulty, clever word choices and the enduring appeal of its simple yet addictive format.

Wordle No. 1,709, released February 22, stumped many with its tropical theme. The answer was **GUAVA**, a noun referring to a yellowish, round or pear-shaped edible fruit native to tropical regions. According to The New York Times Wordle Review, testers averaged 4.6 guesses out of six, rating it moderately challenging. Hints focused on the repeated letter “A,” three vowels and the starting letter “G.” Many players noted the word’s uncommon usage in everyday English, though fruit lovers solved it quickly. Mashable called it “easy if you love a healthy snack,” while Forbes emphasized its consonant-heavy structure. The puzzle sparked discussions on Reddit’s r/wordle about tropical fruits and vowel placement strategies.

Today’s puzzle, Wordle No. 1,711 on February 24, proved similarly tricky, with an average of 4.6 guesses per NYT testers — again moderately challenging. The answer is **BUYER**, a noun meaning a person who purchases goods or services, often for a retail store or business. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines it as someone whose work involves buying merchandise.

Hints for #1711 included: starts with “B,” ends with “R,” contains two vowels (U and E) and three consonants, no repeated letters, and a direct tie to purchasing or shopping. Subtle clues described it as “a consumer,” “opposite of seller,” or “like the curators at TJ Maxx.” No double letters appeared, making vowel placement key. Starting words like SLATE or CRATE left players with many possibilities initially, but vowel tests quickly narrowed options.

Mashable advised a subtle hint: “A consumer.” Tom’s Guide noted it contains two of the five most common Wordle letters and two vowels. CNET highlighted it refers to “a person who makes a purchase.” Parade suggested “like the curators at TJ Maxx,” while Forbes offered “a shipping and logistics job” and “this Wordle begins and ends with consonants.” The puzzle’s difficulty stemmed from its everyday term yet uncommon in casual puzzles, leading to varied solve times.

WordleBot analysis showed average solves around 4.5 in easy mode and 4.6 in hard mode. Community threads on Reddit’s r/wordle and r/wordlegame filled with grids, from three-guess wins to six-guess struggles. Players shared starting strategies — many favored words with common vowels like ADIEU or AUDIO early, then consonant tests.

The game’s viral nature persists in 2026, with millions playing daily since its 2021 launch and NYT acquisition. No major changes have occurred, preserving the six-guess limit, green/yellow/gray feedback and shareable grids. Variants like custom Wordles or alternate modes (e.g., Quordle) keep engagement high, but the core puzzle remains the draw.

Recent puzzles reflect NYT’s balance of accessibility and challenge. #1709’s GUAVA rewarded fruit knowledge or vowel spotting, while #1711’s BUYER tested commercial awareness and letter elimination. Both avoided obscure words, aligning with Wordle’s philosophy of fair, solvable terms.

As February ends, anticipation builds for March puzzles. Players can access Wordle free at nytimes.com/games/wordle, with archives for past solutions (though spoilers apply). Tips remain timeless: start with vowel-rich words, eliminate letters quickly and use hard mode for stricter play.

Wordle’s daily ritual fosters community, from family shares to online forums dissecting hints. Whether solving in three or six tries, the satisfaction of the green grid endures.

China added 20 companies to an export-control list that prohibits Chinese firms from selling them items such as machine tools, batteries and chip-making equipment.

Another 20 companies were added to a watchlist that means they can only receive such items if they satisfy China that they won’t be used in equipment sold to the Japanese military.

Many of the companies subject to export bans are defense-related subsidiaries of major industrial firms, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI and NEC:

Shares of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries fell 3.1%, while shares of IHI and NEC slid 5.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

Shares in Subaru, which was added to the watchlist, dropped 3.5%. The carmaker has an aerospace unit that supplies the Japanese military.

FIRST ON FOX— Controversial online dating service Ashley Madison, long known for catering to married people with the slogan “Life is short. Have an affair,” is ditching its focus on infidelity and adultery as part of a major rebrand. 

Ashley Madison has been the premier dating site for married people looking to cheat for over 20 years, and the scandalous strategy helped the company thrive despite objections to assisting people seeking extramarital affairs. But Ashley Madison has seen a stunning shift in recent years, and 57% of all new members are now actually single. 

“What that told us is that people are coming to our site for a different reason, for discretion. And so, today, Ashley Madison is shedding its adulterous past and launching a new category of discreet dating,” Ashley Madison Chief Strategy Officer Paul Keable told Fox News Digital. 

ASHLEY MADISON HONCHO SAYS SCANDALOUS COMPANY THRIVING DESPITE DOCUSERIES SHOWING MISSTEPS

Ashley Madison, long known for catering to married people with the slogan “Life is short. Have an affair,” is ditching its focus on infidelity and adultery as part of a major rebrand. (Ashley Madison )

The fundamental shift in Ashley Madison’s business model moves the platform away from “married dating” and will include the new tagline “Where Desire Meets Discretion.” Keable said the shift reflects the company’s changing membership, along with a cultural shift prioritizing discretion and privacy. 

“We know people are looking for a range of intimate connections. And ultimately, we’ve lived the past 20-plus years in the social media era where everything we’ve done has been curated and placed online. And people are fatigued and tired. More than roughly 30% of online daters are feeling constant pressure to swipe and message, and they’re not getting the outcomes they want,” Keable said. 

“Worse, they’re having to go back into the office and people who they’re not interested in are seeing their profiles on these traditional dating apps and they feel as though it’s not the experience they’re looking for. So, people are now coming to Ashley Madison to connect with people for the same reasons, but ultimately, we at Ashley Madison are not going to ask you about whether you’re married or not,” he continued. “We’re going to ask very little about your information, other than why you value discretion and enable you to match with the people you want to match because your business ultimately is yours and it’s nobody else’s.”

ADULTERERS ON ASHLEY MADISON REVEAL WHAT THEY ARE FAITHFUL TO, 87% WOULD CHEAT ON THEIR PARTNER BEFORE TAXES

Ashley Madison isn’t just for people seeking to have an extramarital affair anymore. (Ashley Madison)

A recent Ashley Madison member survey found that 49% of respondents said they seek out additional relationships in addition to their primary one during more stressful times, indicating that the service will still enable adultery. The same survey found that 41% of total member respondents believe that having multiple partners who offer a variety of positive attributes would better help them through a difficult time.

Keable is well aware that Ashley Madison has attracted “a multitude of criticisms” over the years but has long maintained that people would cheat whether the service existed or not. Regardless, he says the rebrand isn’t being done for moral or ethical reasons, but rather to serve its customers. 

“This shift that we’re taking is a realization that people want to continue to date, they want to connect, but under their own terms,” he said. “So, our choice really is less about what we desire. It’s our members telling us what they wanted and why they’re coming to Ashley Madison.”

ASHLEY MADISON REVEALS TOP 20 AMERICAN CITIES FOR ADULTEROUS BEHAVIOR: ‘SOMETHING IS GOING ON IN THE MIDWEST’

Ashley Madison has seen a stunning shift over the past few years, as 57% of all new members are actually single. (Ashley Madison)

Keable said the shift to “discreet dating” is about delivering on expectations of members and creating a place where they can conduct their dating under their own management without everybody watching it.

“We’re launching a brand-new marketing campaign called Blessed Are the Discreet, which really celebrates those who are looking for intimate connections on their own terms… not out of guilt or shame, but simply out of an idea that ‘my business is mine.’ And until you’re lucky enough to get invited into it, you’re just going to have to wait on the outside,” Keable said. 

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