Fmr LLC Raises Holdings in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 26,270,496 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after buying an additional 259,766 shares during the quarter. Lowe's Companies accounts for 0.4% of FMR LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. FMR LLC owned 4.65% of Lowe's Companies worth $6,483,558,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LOW. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $1,842,954,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $314,435,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 24,531.0% in the fourth quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 1,228,102 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $303,096,000 after acquiring an additional 1,223,116 shares during the period. Amundi increased its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 60.1% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 2,603,305 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $642,730,000 after purchasing an additional 976,823 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 42,529.8% during the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 846,202 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $208,843,000 after purchasing an additional 844,217 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of LOW traded down $1.23 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $221.97. 1,591,648 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,455,490. The firm's fifty day moving average is $237.70 and its 200-day moving average is $254.99. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $206.39 and a 1 year high of $287.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $124.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.07.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $18.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.29 billion. Lowe's Companies had a negative return on equity of 47.55% and a net margin of 8.19%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current year.

Lowe's Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.07%. Lowe's Companies's payout ratio is currently 37.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim restated a "buy" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $300.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price target on Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Lowe's Companies presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $278.74.

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.