Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Shares Sold by Premier Fund Managers Ltd

Premier Fund Managers Ltd trimmed its position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 257,700 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock after selling 17,738 shares during the quarter. Lowe's Companies comprises approximately 2.3% of Premier Fund Managers Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Premier Fund Managers Ltd's holdings in Lowe's Companies were worth $63,566,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Lowe's Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,842,954,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Lowe's Companies in the fourth quarter worth $314,435,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 24,531.0% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 1,228,102 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $303,096,000 after acquiring an additional 1,223,116 shares during the last quarter. Amundi grew its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 60.1% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 2,603,305 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $642,730,000 after purchasing an additional 976,823 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 42,529.8% during the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 846,202 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $208,843,000 after buying an additional 844,217 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE LOW traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $233.73. 628,929 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,501,385. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $211.80 and a 1 year high of $287.01. The stock has a market cap of $130.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $245.01 and a 200 day moving average of $257.24.

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

Lowe's Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. Lowe's Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.67%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on LOW shares. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $305.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Lowe's Companies in a report on Thursday, December 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Lowe's Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on Lowe's Companies from $305.00 to $290.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Lowe's Companies has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $279.71.

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.