Earnings boost for US DIY

DIY colossus Home Depot reported a 25 per cent leap in second-quarter earnings to US$1.5 billion (£815.1 million), on sales up 11 per cent to US$20 billion (£10.87 billion). Rival Lowe's managed a 17.9 per cent rise in second-quarter earnings to US$704 million (£382.6 million), on turnover up 17.3 per cent to US$10.2 billion (£5.54 billion).