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The home improvement giant said fiscal Q3 profit fell a smaller-than-expected 8.9% as lower expenses offset continued weak demand for home-improvement products. Sales at comparable stores, while again outpacing smaller rival Lowe’s Cos. in the latest period, decelerated from the second quarter. “There is still a great deal of pressure in the housing and home improvement markets, though there are some positive signs of stabilization,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Frank Blake. Home Depot reported earnings of $689 million, down from $756 million a year earlier. Revenue fell 8% to $16.36 billion as same-store sales dropped 6.9%.Read the full article