Investing

As Growth Dries Up In US, Home Depot Truns To China

stocks:  (HD)(WMT)

After Wal-Mart’s succesful move into China, it was to be expected that other large US retailers would see the wisdom of turning to China for growth. After two years of negotiating, Home Depot is buying Chinese home improvement chain HomeWay, taking a majority stake for $100 million.

Retail sales are expected to hit $890 billion by 2009.

To expand its presence in China, Wal-Mart recently bought Trust Mart which has 100 stores in 20 Chinese provinces. Wal-Mart’s sales in China are already $2.6 billion a year.

And, Home Depot has ample reason to follow Wal-Mart’s lead. The home improvement operation’s stock trades at about $38, down from down from $51 five years ago.

Labor unions and a powerful central government will always make doing retail business in China risky. But, Home Depot does not have much choice.

Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at [email protected]. He does not own securities in companies that he writes about.

100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool

The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.

Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.

A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.

Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.