Strom damage across the Southeast accounted for higher sales to contractors, and the chain also forecast stronger results as mortgage rates drop.

The top U.S. home improvement retailer's shares, up 18% this year, rose 2% in premarket trading as it posted a smaller-than-expected drop in third-quarter comparable sales.

Home Depot forecast a smaller drop in annual same-store sales on Tuesday, benefiting from resilient demand from professional contractors, as well as a lift from hurricane-related spending. Shares of the top U.