Staying at home increases spending on homes

Kate Lakin, Director of Equity Research, Walter Scully, CPA, Portfolio Manager, Analyst, and Natalia Grigoras, Sector Specialist, 08/18/20


  • In the second quarter of 2020, home ownership increased at its highest rate since the third quarter of 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • While tight inventory typically drives up home prices, affordability has increased due to low mortgage rates, which are a key driver of home ownership.
  • In July, consumers increased spending on home improvement by 20% year over year according to Bank of America credit card data. We believe that continued demand for products, services, and supplies bodes well for home improvement retailers.

As the economy continues to be challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing two notable trends in the U.S. housing industry. More people are buying houses and existing homeowners are spending more to improve theirs. It raises an interesting question: Is this happening despite the pandemic or because of it?

Ownership among younger buyers is at a 12-year high

In the 2020 second quarter, home ownership increased to 67.9%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This was the highest rate since the third quarter of 2008. People under age 35 have been active, with home ownership for this group rising to 40.6%, a level not seen since before the global financial crisis. This is quite possibly because of the pandemic, as buyers may be compelled to move from crowded cities and seek homes in suburbs.

growth in homeownership

The inventory of U.S. homes remains below the long-term average. Homes available for sale as a percentage of housing stock is currently 1%, versus a 20-year average of 1.6%. While tight inventory typically drives up home prices, affordability has increased due to low mortgage rates.

More time at home drives do-it-yourself spending

In 2020, most of us are spending significantly more time in our homes, which, not surprisingly, has increased interest in home improvement projects. In May and June, retail sales of building materials and garden supplies experienced growth in the high teens versus low single-digit growth in the 2020 first quarter. We believe the solid demand from homeowners for products, services, and supplies bodes well for many stocks in the consumer sector, particularly home improvement retailers and their suppliers.

Investment opportunities

In July, home improvement spending increased 20% year over year according to Bank of America credit card data. Stocks that we believe could potentially benefit include:

Home Depot (HD) and Lowe’s (LOW). We expect strength from home improvement retailers for the second quarter. In our view, unlike many retailers, these businesses are somewhat insulated from the “Amazon effect” — the pressure placed on traditional businesses from online competition. We believe they can withstand this threat due to the specialized nature of their products and the services.

U.S. same store sales

Sherwin-Williams (SHW). Paint manufacturers may be another beneficiary of consumer spending on home improvement. For example, Sherwin-Williams has put considerable research and development into tailoring its products, retail stores, and ordering systems.

Keeping an eye on earnings

Businesses enter the third quarter with great uncertainty around the outlook for economic recovery and COVID-19. As companies report quarterly earnings, analysts across our global equity research team have ongoing discussions with company management teams. They are gaining insights and stress-testing their models of earnings and balance sheets. As always, this kind of fundamental research is the key driver of security selection for our portfolios.

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As of June 30, 2020, Home Depot accounted for 1.95% of the Putnam U.S. Research strategy and 1.22% of the George Putnam Balanced strategy, and was not held in Putnam Global Core Equity strategy. Lowe’s accounted for 1.77% of the Putnam Global Core Equity strategy, and was not held in the U.S. Research strategy or George Putnam Balanced strategy, and Sherwin-Williams accounted for 1.70% of Putnam Global Core Equity strategy and 0.31% of the George Putnam Balanced strategy. It was not held in Putnam U.S. Research strategy. The companies presented as investment examples represents the consumer discretionary securities deemed most relevant to the applicable home improvement theme being discussed. Investment themes selected based on high conviction ideas and are determined by Putnam’s Equity Research team. Current investment themes and investment examples were selected without regard to whether such themes, or relevant securities, were profitable and are intended to help illustrate the investment process. The inclusion of company information should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell or hold any security. It should not be assumed that investment in the securities mentioned was or will be profitable. Holdings are for a representative account and are shown for illustrative purposes only. Each account is managed individually. Accordingly, account characteristics may vary.

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