Westpac Banking Corp Sells 33,117 Shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

Westpac Banking Corp lessened its holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 89.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,862 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after selling 33,117 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corp’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $931,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora increased its position in Lowe’s Companies by 52.5% in the fourth quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 122 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. United Financial Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the third quarter worth $31,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the third quarter worth $34,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new position in Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on LOW shares. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $280.00 to $235.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $325.00 to $279.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. HSBC decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $260.00 to $220.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $260.00 to $257.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $315.00 to $275.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 18th. Twenty-three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $264.57.

Lowe’s Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE LOW opened at $207.79 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.56, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.86. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $203.40 and a 12 month high of $293.06. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $231.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $246.89.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 20th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $23.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.98 billion. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 7.51% and a negative return on equity of 67.96%. The business’s revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.92 EPS. Lowe’s Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.750 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 12.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lowe’s Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 22nd will be paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 22nd. This is a positive change from Lowe’s Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is 40.57%.

Lowe’s Companies News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Lowe’s Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its Q1 2028 EPS estimate for Lowe’s, suggesting confidence in near-term earnings momentum. Lowe’s Companies stock page
• Positive Sentiment: The firm also increased its Q1 2029 EPS forecast, along with a slightly higher Q3 2027 estimate and maintained FY2028/FY2029 earnings expectations at relatively strong levels, signaling longer-term confidence in Lowe’s profit potential. Lowe’s Companies stock page
• Neutral Sentiment: Separately, Lowe’s shareholders affirmed board and pay practices at the annual meeting, which is unlikely to move the stock much on its own. Lowe’s shareholders affirm board, pay practices at annual meeting
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research trimmed several other estimates, including Q2 2027, Q4 2027, Q2 2028, Q4 2028, FY2027, FY2028 and FY2029, which points to some caution on Lowe’s longer-term earnings trajectory. Lowe’s Companies stock page

Lowe’s Companies Company 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.