Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. Increases Holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,566 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after buying an additional 173 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $1,374,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of LOW. Harbour Trust & Investment Management Co increased its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Harbour Trust & Investment Management Co now owns 30,881 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $7,621,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 7.1% during the fourth quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,528 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $871,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. OMC Financial Services LTD increased its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. OMC Financial Services LTD now owns 17,956 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $4,432,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $114,000. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 9.3% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 33,049 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $8,156,000 after purchasing an additional 2,824 shares in the last quarter. 74.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

LOW stock opened at $256.69 on Tuesday. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $211.80 and a 1 year high of $287.01. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $257.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $258.11. The firm has a market cap of $144.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.41, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.11.

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 22nd were paid a $1.15 dividend. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe’s Companies’s payout ratio is currently 38.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LOW has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $280.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Wedbush restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $280.85.

Insider Activity at Lowe’s Companies

In related news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was 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 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.