The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, Feb. 25, edition that Home Depot reported strong sales that exceeded expectations, but noted ongoing macroeconomic challenges. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that comparable sales increased 0.4 per cent in the quarter ended Feb. 1, surpassing Bloomberg's average estimates, while earnings per share, excluding some items, also exceeded expectations. The appetite for home projects remains strong despite high interest rates and inflation. Home Depot gained market share and reported double-digit e-commerce growth for the third consecutive quarter. The stock had gained about 10 per cent this year, compared with the S&P 500 Index being little changed. Still, a meaningful change in housing demand has yet to materialize. Chief financial officer Richard McPhail says: "Our customers have been on the sideline with respect to large remodelling projects for three years now. The homeowner is one of the healthiest customer cohorts out there, but they tell us that uncertainty is growing, that there's concern around housing affordability, around job losses." Home Depot is the latest big-box retailer to post results this earnings season. Rival Lowe's reports on Wednesday.