The home-improvement retailer reported a slight decline in overall sales, though not as sharp as feared by some on Wall Street.

Lowe’s Cos. forecast sales to rise this year, an early sign that consumers are starting to spend again after staying on the sidelines due to higher rates.The retailer said its comparable sales will gain as much as 1% this year,

Investors are looking for signs that the home improvement market will pick up again. Slower housing turnover and higher borrowing costs have kept some customers on the sidelines. Lowe's net sales for the 2024 fiscal year totaled $83.67 billion, down 3% from the fiscal year prior.