Lowes has been burning through it's cash since 2004. During the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, Lowe's net cash has gone from $530 to $423, $364, $281, and $245 respectively (numbers in millions). At this rate, if Lowe's doesn't get its act together, it'll be broke in three years. They need to incorporate some serious cost cutting measures or pray for a quick economic rebound or they'll start digging themselves into debt they can never recover from. HD on the other hand, has been able to maintain its cash at a little over $500 (again in millions) in the same time period. Lowe's is taking a gamble by reinvesting such a large amount of their cash from operations. I'll assume the have a strategy. I happen to like HD's more. I'm interested in peoples' comments regarding this.