Consumer companies were more or less flat after mixed earnings reports.
Lowe's shares rose after the home-improvement chain said a shift to the professional-builder market helped it weather a recent slowdown, and noted signs that do-it-yourself enthusiasts were planning big home projects again. Home Depot, in contrast, had trimmed its full-year outlook as an extended downturn in home-improvement activity shows little sign of ending.
Target shares fell after the discounter warned a plan to fix its continuing sales slump would require billions of dollars in investment. Incoming Chief Executive Michael Fiddelke said the retailer would invest about $1 billion more next year to improve stores, its merchandise selection and digital capabilities, bringing total new investment next year to $5 billion.
T.J. Maxx parent TJX Cos. boosted its full-year outlook and logged higher profit and sales during the latest quarter, another example of a "bifurcated" retail market, where sellers of the highest and lowest-priced products thrive even as mainstream stores struggle.
In more evidence of the trend, premium furnishing firm Williams-Sonoma reported higher third-quarter profit and sales and raised its full-year operating margin forecast, shrugging off the impact of imported furniture tariffs.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-19-25 1751ET
