Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Holdings Boosted by United Asset Strategies Inc.

United Asset Strategies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 3.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 6,661 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $1,644,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. IFS Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lowe’s Companies during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 56.4% in the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 122 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. JNBA Financial Advisors lifted its position in Lowe’s Companies by 555.6% in the 3rd quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors now owns 118 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 118.6% during the third quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 129 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Lowe’s Companies

In related news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.37, for a total value of $1,974,915.26. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This represents a 30.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on LOW. Mizuho lifted their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $282.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $275.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $280.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Lowe’s Companies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.85.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LOW opened at $262.35 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $259.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $256.48. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $209.55 and a 52 week high of $287.01. The stock has a market cap of $148.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.88, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.11.

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be given a $1.15 dividend. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is 38.37%.

Lowe’s Companies 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.