Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Stake Increased by Swedbank AB

Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 27.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 381,967 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after buying an additional 82,845 shares during the quarter. Swedbank AB owned approximately 0.07% of Lowe's Companies worth $94,269,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of LOW. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Lowe's Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lowe's Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. JNBA Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Winch Advisory Services LLC grew its position in 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 valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Lowe's Companies by 118.6% in 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 period. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 transaction of $1,974,915.26. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This represents a 30.12 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of LOW traded up $3.87 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $265.60. The company had a trading volume of 449,280 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,202,587. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $211.80 and a 1-year high of $287.01. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $259.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $257.00. The stock has a market cap of $149.97 billion, a PE ratio of 22.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.11.

Lowe's Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be issued a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 22nd. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.73%. Lowe's Companies's payout ratio is 38.37%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on LOW. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Lowe's Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Lowe's Companies from $280.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on Lowe's Companies from $301.00 to $304.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Loop Capital upgraded shares of Lowe's Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $250.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $280.85.

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.