KKM Financial LLC Takes Position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

KKM Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,558 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock, valued at approximately $393,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC NC lifted its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC NC now owns 5,160 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $1,274,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Gen Wealth Partners Inc boosted its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Gen Wealth Partners Inc now owns 2,163 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $5,306,000. Ground Swell Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $278,000. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Lowe's Companies by 7.0% during the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 263,811 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $65,429,000 after purchasing an additional 17,329 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on LOW shares. BNP Paribas raised Lowe's Companies to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com upgraded Lowe's Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Lowe's Companies from $292.00 to $285.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Lowe's Companies from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $277.00.

Lowe's Companies Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE LOW traded down $2.66 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $228.11. The company had a trading volume of 2,290,937 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,505,378. The company has a market capitalization of $127.67 billion, a PE ratio of 19.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $224.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $246.38. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $206.39 and a one year high of $287.01.

Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.10. Lowe's Companies had a negative return on equity of 47.55% and a net margin of 8.19%. The business had revenue of $18.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.29 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Lowe's Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lowe's Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 23rd were given a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 37.67%.

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.