Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. Boosts Stake in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 5.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,169 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after buying an additional 1,613 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $8,186,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in LOW. United Bank grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. United Bank now owns 10,099 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $2,735,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 40.2% in the 3rd quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,283 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $348,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 1,689 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $457,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 23.7% in the 3rd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 193,672 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $52,456,000 after buying an additional 37,162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 13,779 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $3,732,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Shares of Lowe’s Companies stock opened at $226.17 on Friday. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $211.80 and a one year high of $287.01. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $248.40 and its 200 day moving average is $257.85. The stock has a market cap of $127.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.12.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last announced its 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 company had revenue of $18.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.29 billion. Analysts predict that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on LOW. BNP Paribas upgraded Lowe’s Companies to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Wedbush reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Lowe’s Companies currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $280.83.

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.