IFM Investors Pty Ltd Acquires 4,162 Shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

IFM Investors Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 120,271 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,162 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $29,005,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LOW. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora grew its position in Lowe’s Companies by 52.5% in the 4th quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 122 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. United Financial Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. 74.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Lowe’s Companies Trading Up 2.4%

LOW opened at $221.45 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $228.68 and a 200 day moving average of $246.32. The company has a market cap of $124.17 billion, a PE ratio of 18.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.86. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $203.40 and a 12 month high of $293.06.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 20th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $23.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.98 billion. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 7.51% and a negative return on equity of 67.96%. Lowe’s Companies’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.92 EPS. Lowe’s Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.750 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 12.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lowe’s Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 22nd will be issued a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 22nd. This is a positive change from Lowe’s Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Lowe’s Companies’s payout ratio is 40.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on LOW shares. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $315.00 to $285.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Benchmark started coverage on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Gordon Haskett reduced their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $280.00 to $250.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Citigroup upgraded shares of Lowe’s Companies from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $285.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 12th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $320.00 to $270.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $264.57.

Lowe’s Companies 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.