Home Depot’s fourth-quarter earnings were better than analysts’ estimates but the stock was falling as the report was overshadowed by a weaker-than-expected fiscal-year outlook. Fourth-quarter same-store sales rose 0.

Home Depot earnings topped estimates for the January fiscal fourth quarter, but the home-improvement retailer's outlook for an earnings decline this year caught Wall Street off-guard. Still, after sliding initially,

Home Depot will report earnings before the bell on Tuesday. Investors expect the company to report earnings per share of $3.01 and revenue of $39.16 billion. Home Depot and rival Lowe's have faced a tougher backdrop for selling home improvement supplies amid high interest rates and home prices.

Home Depot’s fourth-quarter earnings report was by no means a blowout one. But it gave investors enough hope about a gradual recovery in home improvement that it lifted Lowe’s shares just ahead of the retailer’s own quarterly report.