Home Depot and Lowe's on the Rebound

This is great news from the front lines of the home improvement and remodeling industry.

Home Depot and Lowe's posted better-than-expected earnings this week and among Home Depot's top 40 markets all but two showed improvement from last year.

After more than a year of not spending money on their homes, consumers began refurbishing their kitchens and painting their living rooms in what appears to be the early stages of a comeback for the home improvement industry.

photo: David McNew/Getty Images