The top U.S. home improvement retailer's shares, up 18% this year, rose 2% in premarket trading as it posted a smaller-than-expected drop in third-quarter comparable sales.

Strom damage across the Southeast accounted for higher sales to contractors, and the chain also forecast stronger results as mortgage rates drop.

Home Depot HD-0.67%decrease; red down pointing triangle raised its guidance following strong third-quarter sales as customers snapped up grills and other outdoor products, and prepared for hurricanes in the Southeast. Revenue climbed 6.6% to $40.22 billion ...

Shares of Home Depot (HD) tick higher in Tuesday's pre-market trading after the company posted an earnings beat in the third quarter and raised its guidance for the full year. Home Depot saw $40.2 billion in sales in the quarter,

Home Depot forecast a smaller drop in annual same-store sales on Tuesday, benefiting from resilient demand from professional contractors, as well as a lift from hurricane-related spending. Shares of the top U.

Home Depot said comparable sales declined 1.3% for the quarter through October, better than analysts’ expectations, after adverse weather propped up demand for home-improvement materials. Drew Reading of Bloomberg Intelligence has more on Bloomberg Television.

The home-improvement retailer said sales came in higher than expected in the third quarter as weather around the country normalized and as demand rose for certain home projects.