Economy is doing great. Nothing to see here, move along, move along.
Companies screw up during good economies too. HD faces stiff competition, between the nearly identical Lowes that came up quicker and leaner with less overhead from mistakes and Ace and local hardware stores with real customer service HD is in a tough spot. Everybody they compete with is better at doing what they do, meanwhile HD sponsors almost every home improvement show on TV which has to cost a ton of money.