Trust Co. of Vermont Takes Position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. $LOW

Key Points

• Trust Co. of Vermont purchased 112,190 Lowe’s shares in the second quarter, valued at approximately $24.7 million and representing 0.9% of the fund’s holdings. Institutional investors collectively own 74.06% of Lowe’s stock.
• Lowe’s reported quarterly EPS of $3.03, exceeding estimates of $2.97, while revenue rose 10.3% year over year to $23.08 billion. The company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $12.25–$12.75.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $1.25 per share, or $5.00 annually, producing a 2.3% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $262.63, despite recent target reductions and some downgrades.

Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 112,190 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock, valued at approximately $24,737,000. Lowe's Companies makes up 0.9% of Trust Co. of Vermont's holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest holding.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new position in Lowe's Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sankala Group LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of Lowe's Companies stock opened at $215.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $216.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $234.16. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $199.40 and a 1-year high of $293.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.23, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.86.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 20th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.06. Lowe's Companies had a net margin of 7.51% and a negative return on equity of 67.96%. The business had revenue of $23.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.98 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.92 EPS. Lowe's Companies's revenue was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Lowe's Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.750 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 12.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Lowe's Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 22nd were issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. This is a positive change from Lowe's Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 22nd. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 42.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on LOW. BTIG Research downgraded shares of Lowe's Companies to a "reduce" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Benchmark started coverage on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. They set a "hold" rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $278.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Wolfe Research set a $254.00 price target on Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Gordon Haskett decreased their price target on Lowe's Companies from $280.00 to $250.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. Twenty-three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $262.63.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Margrethe R. Vagell sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.83, for a total transaction of $559,575.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,220 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,525,842.60. The trade was a 11.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Janice Dupre sold 14,150 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $221.90, for a total value of $3,139,885.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 39,785 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,828,291.50. The trade was a 26.24% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 25,980 shares of company stock valued at $5,796,937. 0.29% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Lowe's Companies Company Profile

Lowe's Companies, Inc is a leading home improvement retailer that operates large-format stores and digital channels serving both do-it-yourself homeowners and professional contractors. The company offers a broad assortment of products including building materials, lumber, appliances, tools and hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bath fixtures, outdoor and garden products, and home decor. Lowe's also provides a range of services such as installation, home improvement financing, tool and equipment rental, and contractor-focused sales programs.

Operations are centered on a nationwide brick-and-mortar store network supported by distribution centers and an e-commerce platform that enables online ordering, delivery and in-store pickup.

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