Associated Banc Corp Purchases 154,438 Shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc. $LOW

Key Points

• Associated Banc Corp initiated a position in Lowe’s during the third quarter, buying 154,438 shares valued at approximately $28.5 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own about 74% of the company’s stock.
• Analysts rate Lowe’s a “Moderate Buy”, with an average price target of $253.48; the stock opened at $213.15 in the latest session cited.
• Lowe’s beat quarterly EPS estimates, reporting $4.40 per share versus $4.22 expected, while revenue of $25.96 billion fell short of forecasts. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per share.

Associated Banc Corp acquired a new stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 154,438 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock, valued at approximately $28,461,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 40,545,728 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $8,939,928,000 after purchasing an additional 714,092 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in Lowe's Companies by 3.6% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 25,329,373 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $5,584,873,000 after purchasing an additional 880,815 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 5.2% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,047,615 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $956,371,000 after purchasing an additional 201,803 shares during the period. Amundi grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 57.3% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 2,892,868 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $637,848,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053,237 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss National Bank grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 7.1% in the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 1,646,320 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $388,992,000 after purchasing an additional 109,520 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $275.00 target price on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Monday, September 21st. TD Cowen reissued a "hold" rating and issued a $235.00 price target on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on shares of Lowe's Companies from $261.00 to $254.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Lowe's Companies from $220.00 to $195.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Lowe's Companies has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $253.48.

Lowe's Companies Stock Performance

Shares of LOW opened at $213.15 on Wednesday. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $178.45 and a one year high of $293.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.49, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $196.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $225.84.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 19th. The home improvement retailer reported $4.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.22 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $25.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.13 billion. Lowe's Companies had a negative return on equity of 75.67% and a net margin of 7.34%. The firm's revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $4.33 EPS. Lowe's Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.250 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Lowe's Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 21st will be given a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 21st. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio is 42.27%.

Lowe's Companies News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Lowe’s is building momentum in its professional-customer business with targeted investment, digital tools and acquisitions. That growth could help offset softer DIY and remodeling demand and support its Total Home strategy. Lowe's Pro Momentum Adds Strength to Its Total Home Strategy
• Neutral Sentiment: The company is set to open its eighth and final new store of 2026 in Texas. The added location expands its footprint, but the article does not suggest the opening is large enough to materially change near-term results. Lowe's opening one more store in 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage highlighted Lowe’s upcoming dividend payment and November earnings report, but provided no details on the payout or earnings outlook that would indicate a change in expectations. Lowe's stock heads toward dividend payment before November earnings
• Negative Sentiment: A market recap noted that LOW fell despite gains in the wider market, but did not point to a specific Lowe’s announcement or fundamental development behind the move. Lowe's Stock Drops Despite Market Gains

Lowe's Companies Company Profile

Lowe's Companies, Inc is a home improvement retailer serving do-it-yourself customers, professional contractors and commercial customers across the United States. The company sells products for home construction, maintenance, repair, remodeling and improvement through its stores and digital platforms.

Its merchandise includes appliances, tools, hardware, lumber, building materials, electrical and plumbing supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bathroom products, outdoor living items, lawn and garden products, and seasonal merchandise.

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