D.A. Davidson & CO. Increases Stock Position in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 8.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 285,034 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 21,202 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO. owned approximately 0.05% of Lowe’s Companies worth $71,632,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LOW. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Solstein Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 627.8% during the second quarter. Solstein Capital LLC now owns 131 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the period. Traub Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 128.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 135 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Up 2.3%

NYSE LOW opened at $246.77 on Monday. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $206.38 and a 52 week high of $274.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $239.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of $241.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $138.43 billion, a PE ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.09 and a beta of 0.96.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $20.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.88 billion. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 8.05% and a negative return on equity of 55.86%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lowe’s Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 21st will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 21st. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on LOW shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Evercore ISI reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. DA Davidson decreased their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $266.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Argus cut their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $290.00 to $286.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $276.80.

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.