Home Depot Crushes Estimates, Announces $15 Billion Buyback Program (hd)

Reuters/Jim Young(Reuters) - Home Depot Inc, the world's largest home improvement chain, reported higher-than-expected profit and sales helped by a strong housing market in the United States and set a $15 billion share repurchase plan. Shares of the company rose 3 percent to $147.20 in premarket trading on Tuesday. The company also forecast 2017 same-store sales growth of 4.6 percent and profit of $7.13 per share. The Atlanta, Georgia-based company said same-store sales rose 5.8 percent during the quarter ended Jan.