Trexquant Investment LP Takes Position in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 109,785 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock, valued at approximately $27,095,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Lowe's Companies by 4.0% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 649,601 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $175,944,000 after purchasing an additional 24,812 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lowe's Companies by 288.6% in the 4th quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 19,028 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $4,696,000 after buying an additional 14,132 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Lowe's Companies by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 362,209 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock worth $98,104,000 after purchasing an additional 4,435 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV boosted its position in shares of Lowe's Companies by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 19,830 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $4,894,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the period. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC raised its stake in Lowe's Companies by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 472,838 shares of the home improvement retailer's stock valued at $116,696,000 after acquiring an additional 7,187 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company's stock.

Lowe's Companies Stock Performance

Shares of LOW traded up $0.53 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $223.05. 4,829,634 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,438,916. The firm has a market cap of $124.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.12. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $242.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $256.46. Lowe's Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $211.80 and a 52-week high of $287.01.

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

Lowe's Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be issued a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.06%. Lowe's Companies's payout ratio is 37.67%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Lowe's Companies from $308.00 to $295.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and set a $305.00 price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Lowe's Companies from $292.00 to $285.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Lowe's Companies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $280.35.

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.