Lowe's Companies, Inc. $LOW Stock Sold by Confluence Investment Management LLC

Key Points

• Confluence Investment Management cut its Lowe’s stake by 5.7% in the third quarter, selling 11,019 shares and retaining 181,855 shares valued at approximately $33.5 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 74.06% of Lowe’s stock.
• Wall Street remains generally positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $255.97, despite several analysts recently lowering their targets.
• Lowe’s shares fell 1.1% to $182.22, near their 12-month low, while the company reported quarterly EPS of $4.40—above estimates—and announced a $1.25 quarterly dividend, yielding about 2.7% annually.

Confluence Investment Management LLC decreased its stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 5.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 181,855 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after selling 11,019 shares during the quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC's holdings in Lowe's Companies were worth $33,514,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bridges Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 446,441 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $107,664,000 after buying an additional 25,609 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 133.9% during the 1st quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 9,402 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $2,222,000 after buying an additional 5,383 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in Lowe's Companies by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 993,332 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $239,552,000 after acquiring an additional 22,175 shares during the period. Nykredit A S acquired a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,217,000. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 178,881 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $43,139,000 after acquiring an additional 19,096 shares in the last quarter. 74.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Lowe's Companies from $285.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Gordon Haskett cut Lowe's Companies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $200.00 target price for the company. in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on Lowe's Companies from $255.00 to $254.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Lowe's Companies from $276.00 to $274.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Lowe's Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $255.97.

Lowe's Companies Stock Down 1.1%

Shares of LOW traded down $2.07 during trading on Thursday, reaching $182.22. 2,263,868 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,947,048. The stock has a market cap of $102.24 billion, a PE ratio of 15.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.85. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $205.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $218.72. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $179.21 and a twelve month high of $293.06.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 19th. The home improvement retailer reported $4.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.22 by $0.18. Lowe's Companies had a negative return on equity of 75.67% and a net margin of 7.34%.The firm had revenue of $25.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $26.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.33 EPS. Lowe's Companies's revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Lowe's Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.250 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 12.26 EPS 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 dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 21st. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.27%.

Lowe's Companies Profile

Lowe's Companies, Inc is a home improvement retailer serving homeowners, renters, and professional contractors primarily in the United States. The company operates through a network of retail stores and digital channels, offering products and services for home repair, maintenance, remodeling, construction, and outdoor living.

Its merchandise includes appliances, tools, hardware, lumber, building materials, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bath products, lighting, home décor, lawn and garden equipment, and seasonal goods.

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