Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) Raised to “Buy” at StockNews.com

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Wednesday.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on LOW. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $292.00 to $285.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $300.00 price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Lowe’s Companies to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $279.71.

Lowe’s Companies Price Performance

Lowe’s Companies stock opened at $232.35 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $130.05 billion, a PE ratio of 19.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.12. Lowe’s Companies has a 12 month low of $211.80 and a 12 month high of $287.01. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $246.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $257.35.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.10. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 8.19% and a negative return on equity of 47.55%. The business had revenue of $18.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.29 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Lowe’s Companies will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lowe’s Companies

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $67,000. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP acquired a new position in Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $267,000. 111 Capital purchased a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,912,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Lowe’s Companies by 11.1% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 397,390 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $98,076,000 after buying an additional 39,616 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 95,913 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $23,671,000 after buying an additional 598 shares during the period. 74.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Lowe’s Companies

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.