Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-eight research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $276.80.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on LOW shares. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $295.00 to $290.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Wolfe Research dropped their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $308.00 to $285.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 24th. DA Davidson decreased their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $266.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 20th.

Institutional Trading of Lowe’s Companies

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 26.9% during the 4th quarter. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,251 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the period. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Farmers National Bank increased its stake in Lowe’s Companies by 3.5% in the third quarter. Farmers National Bank now owns 5,410 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $1,360,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP increased its stake in Lowe’s Companies by 807.4% in the third quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 30,208 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $7,592,000 after purchasing an additional 34,478 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 29,960 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $7,529,000 after purchasing an additional 1,690 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Lowe’s Companies Trading Up 2.3%

Shares of LOW stock opened at $246.77 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $239.83 and a 200-day moving average of $241.37. The stock has a market cap of $138.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.46, a PEG ratio of 4.09 and a beta of 0.96. Lowe’s Companies has a 1-year low of $206.38 and a 1-year high of $274.98.

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

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 21st will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 21st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Lowe’s Companies’s payout ratio is 39.80%.

About Lowe’s Companies

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.