This month, HD rolled out "Eco Options" to customers looking to make a smaller impact on the environment.  The program consists of helping consumers ID everything from appliances to insect repellants to insulations that are eco-friendly, and involves more than 2,500 products.  In addition, Big Orange is replacing lights in their stores with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, and trying to cut emissions at the Atlanta HQ.  Looks like the nation's #2 retailer is trying to take a hint from Wal-Mart.  An article on this story is below:

In other news, both HD and Lowe's continue to smart from the U.S. housing slump.  Home prices were down in Feb. 1.5% from last year -- the biggest decline in 15 years.  Existing home sales fell 8.4% in March, the biggest drop in 18 years.  As a result, despite HD stock reaching a 52-week high in Feb., it is now down 2% for the year.  This information has prompted some to speculate that the sale of HD Supply is not in the immediate future as first thought, since this unit is less reliant on the residential housing market.

Finally, what would a month be without another story on Mr. Blake?  Another flattering article appeared on TheStreet.com, highlighting that "He's No Nardelli."  The article is below:

http://www.thestreet.com/_tscrss/newsanalysis/maven/10348033.html