Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Shares Sold by Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc.

Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 2.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,681 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after selling 1,695 shares during the period. Lowe's Companies makes up about 2.0% of Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Lowe's Companies were worth $19,418,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LOW. IFS Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Lowe's Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its stake 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 purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors increased its position in Lowe's Companies by 555.6% in the third quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors now owns 118 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 118.6% in the third quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 129 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on LOW. Oppenheimer raised shares of Lowe's Companies from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $230.00 to $305.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. Bank of America boosted their target price 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. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Lowe's Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Melius Research assumed coverage on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. They set a "buy" rating and a $290.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Lowe's Companies from $282.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $280.85.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This trade represents a 30.12 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of LOW traded up $2.61 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $261.39. 2,758,504 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,989,226. The company's 50 day moving average is $260.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $254.60. The company has a market capitalization of $147.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.80, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.11. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $209.55 and a 52 week high of $287.01.

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 dividend of $1.15 per share. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.37%.

Lowe's Companies Company 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.