Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Trims Position in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System decreased its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 5.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 30,500 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after selling 1,600 shares during the quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $7,527,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. IFS Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lowe’s Companies in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Lowe’s Companies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings 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 worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors boosted its stake in Lowe’s Companies by 555.6% in the 3rd 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. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 118.6% during the third 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 last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of Lowe’s Companies stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This trade represents a 30.12 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on LOW shares. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada increased 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. DA Davidson lifted their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $301.00 to $304.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $280.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.88.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Shares of LOW stock opened at $257.09 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $256.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $258.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $145.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.11. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $211.80 and a 52-week high of $287.01.

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd were given a dividend of $1.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 22nd. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.79%. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.37%.

Lowe’s Companies 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.