HD Stock Sinks on Bear Notes, In-Store Changes

Home Depot stock received price target cuts after sharing in-store changes

In an effort to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) implemented a few preventative measures to ensure the safety of its customers and employees. These changes include closing stores early, limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, and encouraging social distancing practicing in stores by marking floors and adding signage. At last check, HD stock was down 4.7% to trade at $177.89.

Today's slide brings the equity's year-to-date deficit to 18%. Two weeks ago, Home Depot stock hit a three-year low of $140.63, but has since rallied back near the $177 mark. However, the stock has now seen a cap from this region, which runs in-line to its 20-day moving average, a current ceiling for the shares.

Additionally, HD stock has received an onslaught of price-target cuts, most notably from Credit Suisse, who cut the equity's price target down to $215 from $255. Meanwhile, Jefferies cut to a more modest $228 from $233. Heading into today, of the 20 analysts in coverage, 12 sport a "buy" or better position. The remaining eight analysts all call it a "hold."

In the options pits, puts are dominating the floor. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Home Depot stock sports a 10-day put/call volume ratio that sits higher than 77% of readings from the past year, suggesting puts are going out at a much quicker clip than usual.