Stock in Focus: The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD)

The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) has come roaring back -- returning a whopping 500% for investors since the market bottomed. But while that is good news for investors who owned the stock over that time frame, it doesn't help those looking to buy it today.Which of course begs the question: What does the future look like for Home Depot's stock and its dividend?Stock PerformanceTaking a look at the company’s recent performance, The Home Depot reported Second quarter earnings for fiscal 2014 on August 19^th. The company reported actual earnings per share of $1.52 against the consensus Street estimate of $1.45. This represents year over year growth of 18.42%. The Home Depot posted revenue of $23.80 billion against estimates of $23.61 billion.The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is currently valued at $127.49 billion and closed the last trading session at $94.71. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $91.01 and a 200-day moving average of $82.49.

Is this a Buying Opportunity?There are currently nineteen analysts that we track that cover the stock. Of those nineteen, thirteen have a Buy rating, five have a hold rating and one has a Sell rating. On a consensus basis this yields a score of 2.63 and a Buy. The combined price objective of these covering analysts is $91.80, which represents a 1.57% downside difference to the last closing price.The most recent analyst activity consisted of Oppenheimer boosting price target with outperform stance on the company. Oppenheimer has a price target of $93.00 to $101.00 which represents an upside of 10.25% from the last closing price. On the date of the report, the stock closed at $91.61.Another research firm weighing in recently was Zacks who reiterated rating with neutral stance on the stock. On September 1^st Zacks upgraded their price target on the stock to $98.00, or a 4.81% upside to the current price. On the day of the report, HD shares closed at $93.50.Company ProfileThe Home Depot, Inc. (HD) operates as a home improvement retailer. The Home Depot stores sell various building materials, home improvement products, and lawn and garden products as well as provide installation, home maintenance, and professional service programs to do-it-yourself, do-it-for-me, and professional customers. The company offers installation programs that include flooring, cabinets, countertops, water heaters, and sheds, as well as act as a contractor to provide installation services to its do-it-for-me customers through third-party installers.