Home Depot

Lowe’s reported that first quarter sales are down from the same period last year, but spending by professionals is up.

The home improvement company is buying SRS Distribution, a roofing, landscaping and pool construction supplier, for $18 billion.

When people buy new homes, they buy a lot of other things too, like furniture, appliances and electronics. When home buying slows, that can have a real ripple effect on other industries.

Retail sales were up 3% in January from the month before, but some categories — like building supplies — were mostly flat.

Walmart customers are thinking about rising prices. Home Depot customers are thinking about rising interest rates.