| We're officially in the Dog Days of Summer, folks – that sweltering 40-day span between July 3 and August 11 when the summer heat is at its peak... and when Sirius, the "Dog Star," shines the brightest in the night sky. (Hence the name.) This also happens to be a time when many of us get that itch to upgrade our digs: whether it's prepping the backyard pool deck for the next summer party... giving the fence a fresh coat of paint... or calling the AC tech when you start sticking to your couch. Long days make summer an ideal season for DIY home improvement projects and 2023 is no different. A Home Improvement Research Institute survey found that as of May, 31% of homeowners planned to kick off a project within the next month, which was the highest reporting percentage of the year. At the same time, we've seen home improvement stores Lowe's (LOW) and Home Depot (HD) log significant gains in their stock prices. Since June 1, LOW shares are up 12% while HD shares are up 7%. But just as the season is heating up for home reno stocks, LikeFolio data reveals a worrying consumer trend forming. Buzz around maxed-out credit cards has skyrocketed over the past year, hitting record highs. 
In fact, Americans have collectively piled up close to $1 trillion in credit card debt. And that's not all... ✓ Rising interest rates ✓ Persistent inflation ✓ Student loan payments resuming ✓ A cooling housing market
An economic storm is brewing that could hit home improvement retailers like LOW and HD where it hurts. It's a precarious position to be in right now, especially for a stock like this one that was already at risk of sinking... Click here to continue reading | 
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