Nicolet Advisory Services LLC Raises Stake in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 6.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,673 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the period. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $911,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Lowe’s Companies during the third quarter valued at about $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Lowe’s Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Lowe’s Companies by 56.4% during the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 122 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations purchased a new stake in Lowe’s Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LOW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $292.00 to $285.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $301.00 to $304.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $305.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lowe’s Companies presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $280.35.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Lowe’s Companies stock opened at $235.25 on Thursday. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $211.80 and a fifty-two week high of $287.01. The company has a market capitalization of $131.67 billion, a PE ratio of 19.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $243.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $256.94.

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

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be issued a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.67%.

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.