Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX Invests $4.68 Million in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX acquired a new stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 18,711 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock, valued at approximately $4,675,000. Lowe's Companies accounts for 1.2% of Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX's holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV raised its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 19,830 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $4,894,000 after acquiring an additional 501 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 14.0% in the 4th quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 106,305 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $26,236,000 after purchasing an additional 13,092 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors boosted its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 26,329 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $6,498,000 after purchasing an additional 2,615 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 472,838 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $116,696,000 after purchasing an additional 7,187 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 16.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,074,391 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $1,745,960,000 after purchasing an additional 993,833 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of LOW traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $225.23. 1,475,589 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,512,144. The company has a market cap of $126.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.00. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $206.39 and a 12-month high of $287.01. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $224.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $243.46.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The home improvement retailer reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.88 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $20.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.09 billion. Lowe's Companies had a negative return on equity of 47.55% and a net margin of 8.19%. The firm's revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.06 EPS. Research analysts expect that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 earnings per share 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. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 23rd will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This is a positive change from Lowe's Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. Lowe's Companies's payout ratio is 38.11%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $253.00 target price (down from $269.00) on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Bank of America decreased their target price on Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. BNP Paribas upgraded Lowe's Companies to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. DA Davidson decreased their target price on Lowe's Companies from $270.00 to $240.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $266.00 price objective on Lowe's Companies and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $271.12.

Lowe's Companies Company 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.