Jefferies Financial Group Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) Stock Price

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) had its price target cut by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $305.00 to $278.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the home improvement retailer’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price points to a potential upside of 28.35% from the company’s previous close.

Several other research firms also recently commented on LOW. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their target price on Lowe’s Companies from $228.00 to $202.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Argus raised their price target on Lowe’s Companies from $286.00 to $288.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Lowe’s Companies from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Wolfe Research set a $254.00 price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reduced their price objective on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $295.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lowe’s Companies presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $271.20.

Lowe’s Companies Price Performance

NYSE LOW traded down $4.46 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $216.59. 263,694 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,771,480. Lowe’s Companies has a 52-week low of $208.00 and a 52-week high of $293.06. The firm has a market cap of $121.30 billion, a PE ratio of 18.28, a PEG ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $236.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $248.40.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 20th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.06. Lowe’s Companies had a net margin of 7.71% and a negative return on equity of 61.40%. The business had revenue of $23.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.92 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Lowe’s Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.250-12.750 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Lowe’s Companies will post 12.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Swiss RE Ltd. purchased a new stake in Lowe’s Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Lowe’s Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 78.5% in the 3rd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 116 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora grew its holdings in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 52.5% in the fourth quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 122 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, United Financial Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies in the third quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 74.06% of the company’s stock.

Key Lowe’s Companies News

Here are the key news stories impacting Lowe’s Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Lowe’s beat both earnings and revenue estimates in the first quarter, helped by Pro demand, spring sales execution, and online growth. LOWE’S REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 SALES AND EARNINGS RESULTS
• Positive Sentiment: The company launched an AI-powered “Material Lists” tool to speed up quoting for Pro customers, reinforcing its push into tech-enabled contractor workflows. Lowe’s Boosts Pro Efficiency with AI-Driven Material Lists
• Neutral Sentiment: Several analysts cut price targets after the report, but most still kept constructive ratings such as overweight or outperform, signaling confidence despite near-term profit pressure.
• Neutral Sentiment: Lowe’s reaffirmed full-year guidance, which was roughly in line on revenue but below the Street on EPS, keeping expectations modest amid a weak housing market.
• Negative Sentiment: Management described the U.S. housing market as very challenging, with consumers delaying big-ticket DIY projects; that cautious tone appears to be limiting enthusiasm for the stock.

About Lowe’s Companies

Lowe’s Companies, Inc is a leading home improvement retailer that operates large-format stores and digital channels serving both do-it-yourself homeowners and professional contractors. The company offers a broad assortment of products including building materials, lumber, appliances, tools and hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bath fixtures, outdoor and garden products, and home decor. Lowe’s also provides a range of services such as installation, home improvement financing, tool and equipment rental, and contractor-focused sales programs.

Operations are centered on a nationwide brick-and-mortar store network supported by distribution centers and an e-commerce platform that enables online ordering, delivery and in-store pickup.