China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Has $1.15 Million Stock Position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. trimmed its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 49.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,937 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after selling 4,755 shares during the quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Lowe's Companies were worth $1,151,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations bought a new position in Lowe's Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Fairway Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Lowe's Companies during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Trading Up 1.4%

LOW stock traded up $3.10 during trading on Thursday, reaching $228.67. The stock had a trading volume of 1,354,998 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,648,020. The company has a market capitalization of $128.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.94, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.90. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $224.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $234.56. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $206.38 and a 1-year high of $287.01.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The home improvement retailer reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.88 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $20.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.09 billion. Lowe's Companies had a net margin of 8.22% and a negative return on equity of 49.12%. Lowe's Companies's quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.06 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current year.

Lowe's Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 23rd will be given a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 23rd. This is an increase from Lowe's Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio is 38.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on LOW shares. KeyCorp upgraded Lowe's Companies from a "sector weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $266.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Lowe's Companies from $300.00 to $263.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Lowe's Companies from $295.00 to $285.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Mizuho restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $280.00 target price on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Lowe's Companies from $296.00 to $269.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $271.12.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Juliette Williams Pryor sold 1,130 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.50, for a total value of $257,075.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 31,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,256,795. The trade was a 3.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.