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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number 1-8207

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  ý    No  o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ý    No  o

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

        Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

$.05 par value 2,195,954,729 Shares, as of November 26, 2004

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

(In Millions)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

(In Millions)

(1)

Components of comprehensive income are reported net of related taxes.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        Basis of Presentation—The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 1-8207).

        Stock-Based Compensation—Effective February 3, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value method of recording stock-based compensation expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). The Company selected the prospective method of adoption as described in SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure" and accordingly stock-based compensation expense was recognized for stock options granted, modified or settled and expense related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") after the beginning of fiscal 2003. The fair value of stock options and ESPP as determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is being expensed over the vesting period of the related stock options and ESPP.

        The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to all stock-based compensation in each period (amounts in millions, except per share data):

Service Revenues

        Net sales include service revenues generated through a variety of installation and home maintenance programs. In these programs, the customer selects and purchases material for a project and the Company provides or arranges professional installation. These programs are offered through

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Home Depot and Expo Design Center stores and focus primarily on providing products and services to our do-it-for-me customers. We also arrange for the provision of flooring, countertop and window coverings installation services to homebuilders through HD Builder Solutions Group, Inc. Under certain programs, when the Company provides or arranges the installation of a project and the subcontractor provides material as part of the installation, both the material and labor are included in service revenues. The Company recognizes this revenue when the service for the customer is completed. All payments received prior to the completion of services are recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net service revenues, including the impact of deferred revenue, were $957 million and $2.6 billion for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2004, respectively, compared to $762 million and $2.0 billion for the three and nine months ended November 2, 2003, respectively.

Valuation Reserves

        As of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and the end of fiscal year 2003, the valuation allowances for merchandise inventories and uncollectible accounts receivable were not material.

2.     BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

        The reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2004 and November 2, 2003 was as follows (amounts in millions):

        Stock plans include shares granted under the Company's ESPP and stock incentive plans, as well as shares issued for deferred compensation stock plans. Options to purchase 44.8 million and 64.8 million shares of common stock for the three months ended October 31, 2004 and November 2, 2003, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 57.7 million and 73.4 million shares of common stock for the nine months ended October 31, 2004 and November 2, 2003, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

3.     LONG-TERM DEBT

        In September 2004, the Company issued $1 billion of 3.75% Senior Notes due September 15, 2009 ("Senior Notes") at a discount of $5.0 million with interest payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The net proceeds of $995 million were used in part for the repayment of the Company's outstanding 6¹/2% Senior Notes due September 2004 in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million. The remainder of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes will be used for general corporate purposes. The $5.0 million discount associated with the issuance is being amortized over the term of the Senior Notes using the effective interest rate method. Issuance costs were $6.6 million and are being amortized over the term of the Senior Notes using the straight line method. The Senior Notes may be redeemed by the Company at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price plus accrued interest up to the redemption date. The redemption price is equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest to maturity. The Company is generally not limited under this indenture in its ability to incur additional indebtedness nor required to maintain financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. However, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains various restrictive covenants, none of which is expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
The Home Depot, Inc.:

        We have reviewed the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet of The Home Depot, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 31, 2004, and the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, and Comprehensive Income for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2004 and November 2, 2003, and the related Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2004 and November 2, 2003. These Consolidated Financial Statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

        We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

        Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        We have previously audited, in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Consolidated Balance Sheet of The Home Depot, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 1, 2004, and the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income, and Cash Flows for the years then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 23, 2004, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 1, 2004, is fairly presented, in all material respects, in relation to the Consolidated Balance Sheet from which it has been derived.

November 15, 2004

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS DATA AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

        We reported net earnings of $1.3 billion and diluted earnings per share of $0.60 for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to net earnings of $1.1 billion and diluted earnings per share of $0.50 for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, we reported net earnings of $4.0 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.78 compared to net earnings of $3.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.46 for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Emerging Issues Task Force 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor" ("EITF 02-16") as discussed in detail in the following section, "Impact of the Adoption of EITF 02-16," diluted earnings per share would have been $1.83 for the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

        Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 13.1% over the third quarter of fiscal 2003 to $18.8 billion. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, net sales increased 13.3% over the first nine months of fiscal 2003 to $56.3 billion. Our growth in net sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004 was driven by an increase in comparable store sales of 4.5% and 5.6%, respectively, as well as sales from stores that have been open for less than one year and sales from our newly acquired companies. Our average ticket was $55.53 for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, a company record, and increased 6.6% over the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, our average ticket was $55.11, an increase of 7.4% over the comparable period for fiscal 2003.

        Our financial condition remains strong as evidenced by our $3.4 billion in cash at October 31, 2004. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004, our return on invested capital (computed on beginning long-term debt and equity for the trailing four quarters) was 21.4% compared to 18.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, a 260 basis point improvement. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004, we opened 38 new stores, and at October 31, 2004, we operated 1,826 stores compared to 1,643 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

        We believe the selected sales data, the percentage relationship between net sales and major categories in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the percentage change in the dollar amounts of each of the items presented as follows is important in evaluating the performance of our business operations. We operate in one business segment and believe the information presented in our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition provides an understanding of our business segment, our operations and our financial condition.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

(1)

Excludes all subsidiaries operating under The Home Depot Supply brand (Apex Supply Company, Inc., The Home Depot Supply, Inc., Your Other Warehouse, LLC, White Cap Industries, Inc. and HD Builder Solutions Group, Inc.) since their inclusion may cause distortion of the data presented due to operational differences from our retail stores. The total number of the excluded locations and their total square footage are immaterial to our total number of locations and total square footage.

(2)

Includes net sales at locations open greater than 12 months and net sales of all of the subsidiaries of The Home Depot, Inc. Stores and subsidiaries become comparable on the Monday following the 365^th day of operation.

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IMPACT OF THE ADOPTION OF EITF 02-16

        In January 2004, the Company adopted EITF 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor," which states that certain cash consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the prices of the vendor's products or services and should, therefore, be recorded as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold when recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The Company receives consideration in the form of advertising co-op allowances that pursuant to EITF 02-16 must be characterized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold. Prior to the adoption of EITF 02-16 these advertising co-op allowances were offset against advertising expense and resulted in a reduction of selling and store operating expenses. The adoption of EITF 02-16 had no economic impact on the Company.

        The impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16 in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 resulted in a reduction of cost of merchandise sold of $650 million, an increase in selling and store operating expenses of $820 million and a reduction of net earnings of $108 million. The impact on our diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was a decrease of $0.05 per share. There was no material impact on our diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. We do not expect any further impact on our diluted earnings per share from the adoption of EITF 02-16.

        The following table reconciles our actual results recorded pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles with the results adjusted to exclude the impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16. The table includes only those line items in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings impacted by the adoption of EITF 02-16. We believe that excluding the impact of EITF 02-16 allows for comparability of our results between periods in order to measure our operating performance. This measure is intended only as supplemental information, and it is not a substitute for net earnings or diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (dollars in millions, except per share data).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain statements herein of The Home Depot's expectations, including but not limited to, statements regarding our estimates and expectations for sales and earnings growth, new store openings, impact of cannibalization, implementation of store initiatives, net earnings performance and the effect of adopting certain accounting standards, constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in and the overall condition of the U.S. economy, stability of costs and availability of sourcing channels, conditions affecting new store development, our ability to integrate the businesses we acquire, the risk that the

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cost savings and any revenue synergies from acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, our ability to implement new technologies and processes, our ability to attract, train and retain highly-qualified associates, unanticipated weather conditions and the impact of competition and regulatory and litigation matters. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is contained in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 13.1% to $18.8 billion from $16.6 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, sales increased 13.3% to $56.3 billion from $49.7 billion for the comparable period in fiscal 2003. Net sales growth for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was driven by an increase in comparable store sales of 4.5% and 5.6%, respectively, as well as sales from stores open for less than one year and sales from our newly acquired companies. Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne, the two most powerful hurricanes in the string of storms to hit the United States, increased our third quarter comparable store sales by approximately 100 basis points. Our average ticket for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 6.6% to $55.53, the highest average ticket in our company history, and increased 7.4% to $55.11 for the first nine months of fiscal 2004. While commodity price inflation did impact average ticket, we experienced average ticket growth across the store for both periods. For the third quarter of fiscal 2004, average ticket increased in 10 of 11 selling departments. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, average ticket increased in all selling departments. We plan to open a total of 185 new stores during fiscal 2004 and expect fiscal 2004 sales growth of 10% to 12% driven by comparable store sales, new store openings, sales from certain stores opened during fiscal 2003 and sales from our newly acquired companies.

        The increase in comparable store sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004 reflects a number of factors. Comparable store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 were positive in 9 of 11 selling departments and for the first nine months of fiscal 2004, comparable store sales were positive in 10 of 11 selling departments. For the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, we experienced comparable store sales increases in building materials due in part to the impact of several hurricanes in the Southeastern United States. For the third quarter of fiscal 2004, building materials had the strongest comparable store sales increase, benefiting from strong sales in gypsum, concrete, roofing and other products. Commodity price increases in lumber contributed 88 and 157 basis points to comparable store sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, respectively. For the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, strong sales of generators, fasteners and portable power equipment contributed to strong comparable store sales in hardware. For the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, we also experienced strength in Kitchen and Bath, driven by appliances, bath fixtures, vanities and sinks.

        Our comparable store sales growth reflects the impact of cannibalization. In order to meet our customer service objectives, we strategically open stores near market areas served by existing stores ("cannibalize") to enhance service levels, gain incremental sales and increase market penetration. Our new stores cannibalized approximately 16% of our existing stores as of the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and we estimate that store cannibalization reduced the third quarter of fiscal 2004 comparable store sales by approximately 2%. Additionally, we believe that our sales performance has been, and could continue to be, negatively impacted by the level of competition that we encounter in various markets. However, due to the highly fragmented U.S. home improvement industry, in which we estimate our market share is approximately 11%, measuring the impact on our sales by our competitors is extremely difficult.

        The growth in net sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004 reflects growth in net service revenues, which increased 25.7% to $957 million from $762 million for the third quarter of

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fiscal 2004 and increased 30.7% to $2.6 billion from $2.0 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The growth in service revenues in both periods was driven by strength in a number of areas including carpet, countertops, kitchens and windows. In addition, strong sales in HVAC contributed to the growth in service revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

        In the third quarter of fiscal 2004, we continued the implementation or expansion of a number of in-store initiatives. We believe these initiatives enhance our customers' shopping experience. The professional business customer ("Pro") initiative adds programs to our stores like job lot order quantities of merchandise and a dedicated sales desk for our Pro customer base. The Appliance initiative offers customers an assortment of in-stock name brand appliances, including General Electric® and Maytag®, and offers the ability to special order over 2,300 additional related products through computer kiosks located in our stores. Our Designplace^SM initiative offers our design and décor customers personalized service from specially-trained associates and provides distinctive merchandise in an attractive setting. Our Tool Rental Centers, which are located inside our stores, provide a cost efficient way for our do-it-yourself and Pro customers to rent tools to complete home improvement projects.

        The following table provides the number of stores with these initiatives:

        Gross profit increased 20.4% to $6.3 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 from $5.2 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Gross profit increased 19.5% to $18.7 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 from $15.6 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 33.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to 31.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 33.2% compared with 31.4% for the comparable period of fiscal 2003. The adoption of EITF 02-16 reduced our cost of merchandise sold by co-op advertising allowances of $251 million and $650 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, respectively. Excluding the impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16, our gross margin would have been 32.0% for both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004. The gross profit rate increase for both periods, excluding the impact of EITF 02-16, was primarily attributable to lower shrink than we experienced in the comparable periods of fiscal 2003 and a change in the mix of merchandise sold, partially offset by our deferred interest programs, as the cost of these programs is reflected in our gross margin. Our deferred interest programs offer no interest/no payment programs through our private label credit card. These programs deliver long-term benefits including higher average tickets and customer loyalty. For both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, penetration of our private label credit sales was 24.1%, an increase compared to penetration of 23.1% and 22.0% for the same periods of fiscal 2003, respectively.

        Selling and store operating expenses increased 23.7% to $3.8 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 from $3.1 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, selling and store operating expenses increased 20.7% to $11.4 billion from $9.4 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. As a percentage of net sales, selling and store operating expenses were 20.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to 18.6% for the same period in fiscal 2003. As

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a percentage of net sales, selling and store operating expenses were 20.3% for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to 19.0% for the same period in fiscal 2003. The increase in selling and store operating expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004 was primarily attributable to $255 million and $820 million, respectively, of advertising expense related to the adoption of EITF 02-16. Excluding the impact of EITF 02-16, selling and store operating expenses increased 15.5% to $3.6 billion, or 19.0% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and increased 12.0% to $10.6 billion or 18.8% of net sales for the first nine months of 2004. The increase in selling and store operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, excluding the impact of EITF 02-16, was due to higher expenses associated with sales incentive programs and higher remodel expenses and depreciation resulting from our planned investment in store modernization and technology. In addition, we are experiencing rising energy and health care costs. In the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the increase in selling and store operating expenses was partially offset by the increased penetration of our private label credit card, which carries a lower discount rate than other forms of credit, like bank cards. The decrease in selling and store operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2004, excluding the impact of EITF 02-16, was a result of increased labor productivity and benefits received from our private label credit card program partially offset by higher expenses associated with sales incentive programs and rising health care costs.

        General and administrative expenses increased 33.1% to $370 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 from $278 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, general and administrative expenses increased 20.8% to $1.0 billion from $841 million for the same period in fiscal 2003. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 2.0% for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and 1.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 1.8% and 1.7% for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003, respectively. The increase as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was primarily due to incentive compensation plan expense and the expensing of stock-based compensation.

        Our combined federal, foreign and state effective income tax rate decreased to 36.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 from 37.1% in the third quarter last year and decreased to 36.7% for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 from 37.1% for the comparable period of fiscal 2003. The majority of this reduction was due to the reversal of a $31 million valuation allowance as we were able to recognize the tax benefit associated with previous capital losses for which no tax benefit had been recorded at the time the capital loss was incurred.

        Diluted earnings per share was $0.60 and $1.78 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004, respectively, compared to $0.50 and $1.46 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2003, respectively. The impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16 on our diluted earnings per share during the first nine months of the year was a decrease of $0.05 per share. There was no material impact on our diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. We do not expect any further impact on our diluted earnings per share from the adoption of EITF 02-16. Diluted earnings per share were favorably impacted for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2004 as a result of the repurchase of shares of our common stock in fiscal 2003 and 2004. Since August 2002, we have repurchased 185.8 million shares of our common stock for a total of $6.1 billion. As of October 31, 2004, we had $924 million remaining under our authorized Share Repurchase Program. For fiscal year 2004, we estimate our diluted earnings per share growth will be 19% to 20%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        Cash flow generated from operations provides a significant source of liquidity. During the first nine months of fiscal 2004, net cash provided by operating activities increased to $6.4 billion compared to $6.1 billion for the same period of fiscal 2003. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was a result of stronger net earnings, partially offset by an increase in net working capital.

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        Net cash used in investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $3.4 billion compared to $2.2 billion for the same period of fiscal 2003. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily the result of $727 million used to purchase White Cap Industries, Inc. ("White Cap") and Home Mart Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("Home Mart"). In May 2004, we acquired all of the common stock of White Cap, a leading distributor of specialty hardware, tools and materials to construction contractors. This acquisition was part of our strategy to extend our business and our professional customer base with value-added products and services. In June 2004, we acquired all of the common stock of Home Mart, the third largest home improvement retailer in Mexico. This acquisition was part of our strategy to expand into new markets. Capital expenditures increased to $2.8 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 from $2.5 billion in the first nine months of 2003. This increase in capital expenditures was due in part to the purchase of 18 stores from a third party as well as an increase in store remodels and expansions compared to the same period last year. The increase in net cash used in investing activities also reflects lower proceeds from the sale of property and equipment as well as lower proceeds from maturities of investments in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to the same period of fiscal 2003.

        During the first nine months of fiscal 2004, net cash used in financing activities was $2.4 billion compared with $1.2 billion for the same period of fiscal 2003. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to the repurchase of $2.5 billion of our common stock during the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared with $891 million for the same period of fiscal 2003. In September 2004, we repaid our $500 million 6¹/2% Senior Notes (see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). In addition, during the first nine months of fiscal 2004, cash dividends paid to stockholders increased $96 million to $532 million from $436 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The increase in net cash used in financing was partially offset by $995 million of net proceeds from the issuance of 3.75% Senior Notes (see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

        We have a commercial paper program that allows for borrowings up to a maximum of $1.25 billion. As of October 31, 2004, there was nothing outstanding under the program. In connection with the program, we have a back-up credit facility with a consortium of banks for borrowings up to $1 billion. The credit facility contains various restrictive covenants, none of which is expected to impact our liquidity or capital resources.

        As of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004, our total debt-to-equity ratio was 9.1% compared to 6.1% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2003. This increase was due in part to the net increase in Long-Term Debt of $495 million. The increase in our total debt-to-equity ratio also reflects the consolidation of a variable interest entity in accordance with the revised version of FASB Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" which increased long-term debt by $282 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 but had no economic impact on our financial condition.

        As of October 31, 2004, we had $3.4 billion in cash. We believe that our current cash position and cash flow generated from operations should be sufficient to enable us to complete our capital expenditure programs and any required long-term debt payments through the next several fiscal years. In addition, we have funds available from the $1.25 billion commercial paper program and the ability to obtain alternative sources of financing if required.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        Our exposure to market risks results primarily from fluctuations in interest rates. There have been no material changes to our exposure to market risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2004.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

        The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

        There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

        The Company's common stock repurchase program was initially announced on July 15, 2002. As of the beginning of the third fiscal quarter of 2004, the Board had approved purchases up to $6 billion. On August 6, 2004, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had authorized an additional $1 billion in common stock repurchases, for a total authorization of $7 billion. The program does not have a prescribed expiration date. The table below sets forth the Company's monthly purchases during the third fiscal quarter of 2004:

        In addition to these repurchases, pursuant to the Company's 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), participants may exercise stock options by surrendering shares of The Home Depot common stock that the participants already own as payment of the exercise price. Plan participants may also surrender shares of The Home Depot common stock as payment of applicable tax withholding on the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares so surrendered by participants in the Plan are repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Plan and applicable award agreement and not pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs. For the quarter ended October 31, 2004, the following shares of The Home Depot common stock were surrendered by participants in the Plan: August 2004—20,400 shares at an average price per share of $34.81; September 2004—20,816 shares at an average price per share of $38.14; October 2004—20,879 shares at an average price per share of $40.43.

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a)

Exhibits

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

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QuickLinks

Item 1. Financial Statements

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6. Exhibits