Home Depot (NYSE: HD) announced its first-quarter 2020 earnings results today, and they missed analyst estimates. But looking deeper into the report should make investors feel good, as the additional costs related to COVID-19 were for worker bonuses and other new benefits. Additionally, the home improvement retailer saw sales rise 7% compared to the year-ago quarter, and same-store sales growth came in at a strong 6.4%. Though net income missed average analyst estimates by $0.19 per share, the company said the additional employee expenses related to the pandemic cost it $0.60 per diluted share after taxes. Image source: Getty Images. Those expenses included expanded paid time off for hourly associates that will be paid out if not used by the end of the year, along with additional time off for associates over 65 years of age, or who are at a higher risk. The company also doubled overtime pay, provided weekly bonuses for employees at retail stores and distribution warehouses, and extended other family healthcare benefits. CEO and chairman Craig Menear discussed how the company adjusted operations to be able to continue serving customers as an essential business during the ongoing pandemic. He said the priorities were "working to ensure the safety and well-being of our associates and customers, and providing our customers and communities with essential products." New procedures to support those priorities included revising store hours to increase time for sanitizing and restocking essential products, limiting customer traffic, and canceling the company's Spring Black Friday event to prevent additional store traffic. Home Depot also said it was maintaining its quarterly dividend to shareholders. 10 stocks we like better than Home DepotWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Home Depot wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of April 16, 2020 Howard Smith owns shares of Home Depot and has the following options: long January 2021 $120 calls on Home Depot and short September 2020 $215 calls on Home Depot. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Home Depot and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $120 calls on Home Depot and short January 2021 $210 calls on Home Depot. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source