Which Value Stock Is the More Obvious Buy Now: Home Depot Under $310 a Share or Lowe's Under $200 a Share?

Home Depot and Lowe's both trade at attractive valuations compared to their historical P/E ratios amid economic headwinds affecting the home-improvement retail sector. Home Depot's P/E ratio of 21 and stronger operational performance (1.7% same-store sales growth vs. Lowe's 0.2%) make it the more obvious value buy, as its larger scale should help it emerge stronger when economic conditions improve.