RPG Investment Advisory LLC Reduces Stock Position in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. $LOW

RPG Investment Advisory LLC cut its stake in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 25.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,650 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after selling 6,583 shares during the quarter. RPG Investment Advisory LLC’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $4,938,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Solstein Capital LLC grew its stake in Lowe’s Companies by 627.8% during the second quarter. Solstein Capital LLC now owns 131 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:LOW opened at $246.48 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $138.26 billion, a PE ratio of 20.44, a PEG ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.96. The company’s fifty day moving average is $239.89 and its 200 day moving average is $242.07. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $206.38 and a 52 week high of $274.98.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $20.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.89 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current year.

Lowe’s Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Investors 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 yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 21st. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on LOW shares. DA Davidson lowered their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $266.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Evercore ISI reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Eighteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lowe’s Companies has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $276.80.

About Lowe’s Companies

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.