Check out the mixed messages from Home Depot.
 
The retailer posted better-than-expected quarterly profit. But that was still a 31-percent drop.
 
The company also said it expected sales to drop more this year than it previously thought.
 
Home improvement retailers were the leading edge of the retail slump, getting hit by the housing slowdown before the rest of the economy fell into what is likely a recession.
 
But with rival Lowe’s and now Home Depot both beating expectations, there could be signs of of a turnaround.
 
“Hardline retail stocks have historically begun their recoveries when expectations begin to be achieved, and this may be happening for Home Depot and Lowe’s,” Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter said in a research note.
 
Also in the basket:
 
Wal-Mart says gas price drop helping store traffic
 
Saks third-quarter loss wider than expected
 
Gift card sales seen down 6 percent this holiday

(Reuters photo)