12:21 ET--Traffic to both Home Depot and Lowe's was relatively stable in the second quarter, indicating that underlying demand for home-improvement projects is resilient despite the macroeconomic backdrop, according to a recent report from Placer.ai. The location-analytics firm says both chains could see visits accelerate in the back half of the year. "Growth in the second half of 2026 may come from the accumulation of deferred maintenance, or from an easing in prices and rates that finally makes bigger projects feel affordable again," the report reads. "Either could turn this plateau into a climb." Both Home Depot and Lowe's are scheduled to report earnings next week.