Avanza Fonder AB Has $12.71 Million Stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Avanza Fonder AB lessened its position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 5.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 54,013 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after selling 3,169 shares during the period. Avanza Fonder AB's holdings in Lowe's Companies were worth $12,708,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LOW. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, IFS Advisors LLC increased its stake in Lowe's Companies by 60.0% in the first quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 160 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Lowe's Companies

In other news, EVP Juliette Williams Pryor sold 1,130 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.50, for a total transaction of $257,075.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 31,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,256,795. This trade represents a 3.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Lowe's Companies Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of LOW traded down $6.51 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $216.99. The stock had a trading volume of 2,425,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,524,115. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $223.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $240.51. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $206.39 and a one year high of $287.01. The firm has a market cap of $121.61 billion, a PE ratio of 18.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.92.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 21st. The home improvement retailer reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.88 by $0.04. Lowe's Companies had a net margin of 8.19% and a negative return on equity of 47.55%. The company had revenue of $20.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.06 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lowe's Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 23rd. This is a boost from Lowe's Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. KeyCorp raised shares of Lowe's Companies from a "sector weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $266.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Lowe's Companies to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Lowe's Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $270.00 to $240.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $271.12.

Lowe's Companies Profile

Lowe's Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States. The company offers a line of products for construction, maintenance, repair, remodeling, and decorating. It also provides home improvement products, such as appliances, seasonal and outdoor living, lawn and garden, lumber, kitchens and bath, tools, paint, millwork, hardware, flooring, rough plumbing, building materials, décor, and electrical.