Home Depot says a deep funk in the housing market is responsible for its sales slump: ‘Our customers are homeowners’

Home Depot is currently facing significant challenges as it struggles to reverse concerning customer behavior in its stores. The company has reported a decline in customer demand, which is impacting its overall performance and financial outlook.

U.S. natural gas inventories decreased last week as expected, driven by increased heating demand due to a cold snap in the eastern U.S. Consequently, natural gas futures experienced a decline. This trend aligns with market forecasts anticipating fluctuations in energy demand as winter approaches.

Gold prices remained largely unchanged, with New York futures trading at $4,081.20 per troy ounce, following the release of U.S. job growth data for September that exceeded expectations. This stability in gold prices comes amidst a backdrop of fluctuating market conditions and investor sentiment.

The dollar declined against a basket of currencies following the release of U.S. jobs data, which indicated that employers added more jobs than expected in September. However, the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose, raising concerns about the labor market's stability.

Crude-oil futures were higher in early U.S. trade, although the market remained rangebound. Bearish views on supply and demand were countered by geopolitical risks, creating a cautious trading environment.

The OBBBA introduces significant tax reforms for founders, notably raising the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) cap to $75 million. This change is designed to stimulate growth, enhance capital raising efforts, and facilitate business exits.

Job growth in the U.S. accelerated in September, defying expectations as the economy approached a government shutdown. This positive trend indicates resilience in the labor market despite ongoing economic challenges.

In September, U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 119,000, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. This job growth follows unexpected losses in August, indicating a potential rebound in the labor market. Analysts are closely monitoring these developments as they assess the overall economic landscape.