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.

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

Home Depot said comparable sales declined 1.3% for the quarter through October, better than analysts’ expectations, after adverse weather propped up demand for home-improvement materials. Drew Reading of Bloomberg Intelligence has more on Bloomberg Television.