Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Plans Quarterly Dividend of $1.20 (NYSE:LOW)

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 21st will be given a dividend of 1.20 per share by the home improvement retailer on Wednesday, February 4th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 21st.

Lowe’s Companies has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.2%per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 53 years. Lowe’s Companies has a dividend payout ratio of 36.0% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Lowe’s Companies to earn $12.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.80 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 38.3%.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Shares of Lowe’s Companies stock opened at $277.66 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $155.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.60 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $245.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $244.63. Lowe’s Companies has a one year low of $206.38 and a one year high of $278.44.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.09. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 8.05% and a negative return on equity of 55.86%. The company had revenue of $20.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.88 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.89 earnings per share. Lowe’s Companies’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Lowe’s Companies will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LOW has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $282.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $295.00 to $290.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $285.00 to $272.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Telsey Advisory Group decreased their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $305.00 to $285.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lowe’s Companies presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $281.92.

Lowe’s Companies Company 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.