Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. Has $31.73 Million Holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 126,247 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after selling 4,293 shares during the quarter. Lowe’s Companies accounts for approximately 0.9% of Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc.’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $31,727,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Solstein Capital LLC boosted its position in Lowe’s Companies by 627.8% in the second quarter. Solstein Capital LLC now owns 131 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the second quarter worth $30,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 128.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 135 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Down 0.3%

LOW opened at $243.80 on Tuesday. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $206.38 and a twelve month high of $274.98. The company has a fifty day moving average of $239.90 and a 200-day moving average of $240.77. The stock has a market cap of $136.76 billion, a PE ratio of 20.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.96.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.09. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 8.05% and a negative return on equity of 55.86%. The business had revenue of $20.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.88 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.89 earnings per share. Lowe’s Companies’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 21st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on LOW shares. TD Cowen lowered their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $275.00 to $250.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 21st. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $295.00 to $290.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. DA Davidson dropped their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $266.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Evercore ISI reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $285.00 to $272.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $276.80.

Lowe’s Companies Profile

Lowe’s Companies, Inc is a leading home improvement retailer that operates large-format stores and digital channels serving both do-it-yourself homeowners and professional contractors. The company offers a broad assortment of products including building materials, lumber, appliances, tools and hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bath fixtures, outdoor and garden products, and home decor. Lowe’s also provides a range of services such as installation, home improvement financing, tool and equipment rental, and contractor-focused sales programs.

Operations are centered on a nationwide brick-and-mortar store network supported by distribution centers and an e-commerce platform that enables online ordering, delivery and in-store pickup.