Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Boosts Holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,387,351 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 103,422 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $305,897,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of LOW. Swiss RE Ltd. purchased a new position in Lowe’s Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sankala Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of Lowe’s Companies stock opened at $215.67 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $120.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.86. The company’s 50 day moving average is $216.15 and its 200 day moving average is $234.16. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $199.40 and a twelve month high of $293.06.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 20th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.06. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 7.51% and a negative return on equity of 67.96%. The company had revenue of $23.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.98 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.92 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. Lowe’s Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.750 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 12.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lowe’s Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 22nd were paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 22nd. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is an increase from Lowe’s Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 42.27%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Margrethe R. Vagell sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.83, for a total transaction of $559,575.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,220 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,525,842.60. This represents a 11.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Juliette Williams Pryor sold 9,330 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.81, for a total transaction of $2,097,477.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 16,142 shares in the company, valued at $3,628,883.02. This trade represents a 36.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 25,980 shares of company stock valued at $5,796,937 in the last quarter. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. William Blair started coverage on Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $300.00 to $293.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $320.00 to $270.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. Citigroup lowered their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $285.00 to $267.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Benchmark initiated coverage on Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned 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 $262.63.

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.