Brokerages Set Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Price Target at $280.85

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and sixteen have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $280.85.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on LOW. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $275.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $250.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Lowe's Companies from $291.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Melius Research assumed coverage on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $290.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Lowe's Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday.

Lowe's Companies Stock Performance

Shares of LOW traded up $2.61 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $261.39. The stock had a trading volume of 2,758,504 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,989,226. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $260.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $254.60. Lowe's Companies has a fifty-two week low of $209.55 and a fifty-two week high of $287.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $147.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.80, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.11.

Lowe's Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be issued a dividend of $1.15 per share. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.37%.

Insider Activity at Lowe's Companies

In related news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 16,703 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,582,802.11. The trade was a 30.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Lowe's Companies

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. IFS Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Lowe's Companies during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of 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 worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors raised its position in Lowe's Companies by 555.6% during the third quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors now owns 118 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 118.6% during the 3rd 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 owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.