Curbstone Financial Management Corp Increases Stock Holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Curbstone Financial Management Corp grew its holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 4.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,392 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the quarter. Curbstone Financial Management Corp’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $837,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of LOW. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Lowe’s Companies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. JNBA Financial Advisors grew 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 valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC raised 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 worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on LOW shares. DA Davidson increased their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $291.00 to $292.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.85.

Lowe’s Companies Trading Up 2.3 %

NYSE:LOW opened at $268.34 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $151.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $259.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $256.48. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $209.81 and a 12 month high of $287.01.

Lowe’s Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be paid a $1.15 dividend. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.37%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lowe’s Companies

In other news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This trade represents a 30.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.