Home Depot vs Walmart (HD vs WMT)

Home Depot (HD) vs Walmart (WMT) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Home Depot (HD) and Walmart (WMT) compete in retail. Here are Home Depot and Walmart side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Home Depot or Walmart.

Home Depot vs Walmart: the figures

Home Depot and Walmart figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Home Depot or Walmart figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Home Depot and Walmart

1. Valuation: Walmart trades at 46.8x its annual earnings and Home Depot at 25.4x; the market pays more for each dollar of Walmart profit, usually because it expects more growth.
2. Dividend: Home Depot yields 2.79% at today's price and Walmart yields 0.79%.
3. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Home Depot keeps 8.4 as net profit and Walmart keeps 3.0.

Home Depot or Walmart: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Walmart is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you want income (dividends): Home Depot pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Walmart has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: Home Depot trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Home Depot nor Walmart wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Home Depot and Walmart make money

Home Depot (HD)

Home Depot runs big-box home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It sells building materials, tools, garden supplies, appliances and decor to do-it-yourself shoppers and to professional contractors, a group it also serves through SRS Distribution. It reports a single segment, with online sales included. Full Home Depot analysis.

Walmart (WMT)

Walmart reports three segments: Walmart U.S., the largest, with supercenters where groceries are the top category; Walmart International, including Walmex in Mexico, Flipkart in India and operations in Canada and China; and Sam's Club membership warehouses. It also earns from e-commerce, advertising and the Walmart+ subscription. Full Walmart analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Home Depot vs Walmart

Is Home Depot or Walmart the better stock?

Choosing between Home Depot and Walmart depends on what you are looking for. Walmart is growing faster right now, and Home Depot trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Home Depot or Walmart: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Home Depot or Walmart?

As of November 4, 2026, Home Depot yields 2.79% and Walmart yields 0.79%. Also check how much of their profit Home Depot and Walmart pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, Home Depot or Walmart?

On P/E, Walmart (46.8x) is more expensive than Home Depot (25.4x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both Home Depot and Walmart?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Home Depot and Walmart, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Home Depot or Walmart.

More comparisons with Home Depot or Walmart

• Costco vs Home Depot
• Amazon vs Home Depot
• Amazon vs Walmart
• Costco vs Walmart

More companies like Home Depot and Walmart: retail stocks. Educational content about Home Depot and Walmart, not investment advice.