Core Insights - Lowe's Companies reported Q1 FY2025 sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, while Pro sales showed mid-single-digit growth, offsetting weaker DIY demand [1][2] - The company affirmed its full-year sales outlook of $83.5-$84.5 billion for FY2025, despite challenging market conditions [2][10] Sales Performance - Q1 FY2025 sales reached $20.9 billion, with comparable sales declining by 1.7% [1] - Pro segment sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, countering the decline in DIY spending [3] Strategic Acquisitions - Lowe's announced the acquisition of Artisan Design Group (ADG) for $1.325 billion, expected to close in Q2 FY2025, targeting a fragmented $50 billion market [3][4] - ADG generated $1.8 billion in sales in 2024 and is projected to be EPS accretive in FY2026 [3][11] Digital Transformation - Online sales increased by 6% in Q1 FY2025, driven by improved traffic and conversion rates [2][5] - The company is in the early stages of deploying a third-party home improvement marketplace, enhancing product breadth without significant inventory risk [6][7] Supply Chain Management - 60% of purchases are sourced domestically, with China accounting for approximately 20% due to diversification efforts [8][9] - The company is actively working to further reduce dependency on China and mitigate tariff risks through robust supplier relationships [9] Future Outlook - Management reaffirmed FY2025 sales guidance of $83.5-$84.5 billion, with comparable sales expected to be flat to up 1% [10] - Operating margin is forecasted at 12.3%-12.4%, with diluted EPS outlook of $12.15-$12.40 [10]

Core Insights - Lowe's is enhancing its online marketplace through a partnership with Mirakl, aiming to provide more options and convenience for DIY and professional customers [1][3] - The marketplace features a wide range of products from value to premium, allowing Lowe's to expand into new product categories [2][4] - The collaboration with Mirakl is expected to accelerate Lowe's e-commerce growth and improve the management of third-party seller catalogs [3][5] Company Overview - Lowe's operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and serves approximately 16 million customer transactions weekly in the U.S. [8] - The company reported total fiscal year 2024 sales exceeding $83 billion [8] - Lowe's employs around 300,000 associates and is committed to community support through various programs [8] Marketplace Features - Lowe's Marketplace offers products from verified sellers, including small businesses and nationally recognized brands, ensuring quality and alignment with Lowe's standards [6] - Members of the MyLowe's Rewards loyalty program can earn points on marketplace purchases, enhancing customer engagement [5] - All marketplace products are available for home delivery and can be returned to any of Lowe's stores, providing added convenience [5]

Wednesday, May 21, 2025Pre-market futures today are once again greeted with an absence of economic reports ahead of the opening bell. We also have no updates on trade deals with global trade partners with the U.S., nor extraneous news items that might hold sway over early trading activity. We are thus left with some key U.S. retailers reporting Q1 earnings this morning.As a result, we’re seeing futures down across the board this morning. The Dow is down -345 points, -0.81%, the S&P 500 is -38 points, -0.64% ...

Core Viewpoint - Lowe's Companies has reaffirmed its 2025 outlook and capital return strategy, indicating a potential continuation of its stock price uptrend despite mixed quarterly results [1][8]. Financial Performance - Revenue contracted by 2.2% year-over-year, missing consensus estimates, with comparable sales down 1.7% due to weather and consumer-related weaknesses, although growth was noted in professional and online segments [6][8]. - GAAP earnings reported at $2.92, slightly ahead of consensus estimates, despite a faster contraction than revenue [7]. Guidance and Forecast - Lowe's forecasts revenue between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion for 2025, with margins expected to remain strong [8]. - The 12-month stock price forecast is set at $276.17, indicating a potential upside of 20.97% based on 25 analyst ratings [9][12]. Shareholder Returns - The company has a dividend yield of approximately 2.01%, with a low payout ratio of about 40% of the 2025 earnings forecast, and a 5% increase in the 2024 payment is anticipated [10][11]. - Share repurchases have slowed but remain sufficient to offset share-based compensation, resulting in a net 2% decline in shares compared to the previous year [10]. Market Sentiment - Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on Lowe's stock, with ongoing institutional buying expected to provide bullish momentum [12][13]. - Recent price target reductions from some analysts may limit potential gains, but overall coverage remains firm with a bullish bias [12].

Core Insights - Lowe's reported revenue of $20.93 billion for the quarter ended April 2025, reflecting a 2% decrease year-over-year, with EPS at $2.92 compared to $3.06 in the same quarter last year [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.92 billion by 0.03%, while the EPS surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.88 by 1.39% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Comparable store sales decreased by 1.7% year-over-year, better than the average analyst estimate of a 2.1% decline [4] - The total number of stores remained at 1,750, matching the average estimate from five analysts [4] - Sales per store were reported at $11.96 million, slightly above the average estimate of $11.92 million from two analysts [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Lowe's shares returned +5.6%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite increased by +12.7% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - Two major retailers, Target Corp and Lowe's Companies Inc, reported mixed earnings results, leading to declines in their stock prices due to cautious outlooks and macroeconomic challenges [1] Target Corp - Target's stock decreased by 7% to $91.32 after missing first-quarter revenue estimates and lowering its full-year sales outlook [2] - The retailer reported earnings of $2.03 per share, exceeding estimates, but revenue of $24.53 billion fell short of the $24.52 billion consensus [2] - Year-to-date, Target's stock is down 32.4%, with its 50-day moving average hindering any rallies this month [2] Lowe's Companies Inc - Lowe's stock fell by 1.4% to $227.79, despite beating earnings expectations with first-quarter earnings of $2.92 per share, compared to the expected $2.88 [3] - Revenue for Lowe's was $20.93 billion, slightly missing expectations [3] - The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook, projecting earnings between $12.15 and $12.40 per share and comparable sales growth between flat and 1% [3] Options Activity - Both Target and Lowe's are experiencing heightened intraday options activity, with volumes at four times the average pace for each [4] - Target has seen 2,884 calls and 2,063 puts traded, while Lowe's has recorded 2,908 calls and 2,075 puts [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [5][36] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations, while gross margin improved to 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year [36][38] - Comparable average ticket increased by 2.1%, but comparable transactions declined by 3.8% due to unfavorable weather impacting spring traffic [36][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, driven by a strong product and service offering [10][28] - Online sales rose by 6%, supported by increased traffic and conversion rates [13] - The company saw solid growth in categories such as patio furniture, fertilizer, and appliances, despite ongoing pressure in DIY discretionary project demand [19][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a decline in DIY bigger ticket discretionary demand, attributed to macroeconomic uncertainties and unfavorable weather conditions [6][24] - The housing market remains a significant focus, with an estimated 18 million new homes needed in the U.S. by 2033, driving pro plan spending [11][52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and efforts to reduce dependency on China [8][9] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion is expected to enhance pro penetration and position the company in a fragmented $50 billion market [11][39] - The company aims to accelerate online growth and enhance customer experience through technology investments, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser named Milo [15][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic challenges, citing healthy consumer balance sheets and positive demand drivers [78] - The outlook for fiscal 2025 remains unchanged, with expected sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion and comparable sales projected to be flat to up 1% [40][42] Other Important Information - The company celebrated its recognition as number one in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailers by J.D. Power [6][25] - The company is focused on community support initiatives, including a commitment to deliver 10 million square feet of impact nationwide [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Larger Pro and Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro penetration and capitalize on market opportunities [49][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [66][70] Question: Soft trends in bigger ticket projects - Management noted that consumer confidence and mortgage rates are key factors affecting larger discretionary spending [80][81] Question: Performance in markets with steady spring weather - Management confirmed that business performance improves significantly with favorable weather conditions [89][91] Question: DIY environment and competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [99][100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [4][36] - Gross margin was 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year, driven by productivity initiatives and improvements in shrink and credit revenue [38] - Operating margin rate declined by 50 basis points to 11.9% compared to the prior year [39] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, reflecting the effectiveness of the company's strategy [10][28] - Online sales increased by 6%, supported by higher traffic and conversion rates [13] - The DIY segment faced pressure, particularly in larger discretionary projects, impacting overall sales [24][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable transactions declined by 3.8%, influenced by unfavorable weather conditions early in the quarter [37] - Comp sales were down 5.4% in February, up 1.7% in March, and down 2.6% in April, indicating a weather-related impact on sales [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and 20% from China [7][8] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion aims to enhance penetration in the pro market, which is valued at $50 billion [11][40] - The company is committed to accelerating online growth and enhancing customer experience through technology, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the consumer's overall health but acknowledged challenges in the DIY segment due to elevated mortgage rates [78][81] - The company anticipates a flat to slightly positive comp sales outlook for the first half of the year, with expectations for improvement in the second half driven by strategic initiatives [41][95] Other Important Information - The company generated $2.9 billion in free cash flow in Q1 and paid $645 million in dividends [39] - The company plans to open five to ten new stores later this year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Impact of Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro market penetration and capitalize on future housing recovery [50][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [68][70] Question: DIY market competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [98][100] Question: Pro business performance and weather impact - Management confirmed that weather significantly impacted Q1 performance but noted improvements as conditions normalized [107]

Financial Performance - Net earnings for Q1 2025 were $1.6 billion, with diluted EPS of $2.92, down from $3.06 in Q1 2024[1][16] - Total sales for the quarter were $20.9 billion, a decrease from $21.4 billion in the prior-year quarter, with comparable sales down 1.7%[2][16] - Operating income for the quarter was $2.5 billion, representing 11.9% of sales, compared to 12.4% in the same quarter last year[16] - Net earnings for the three months ended May 2, 2025, were $1,641 million, a decrease of 6.5% compared to $1,755 million for the same period in 2024[19] Dividends and Shareholder Value - The company declared a cash dividend of $645 million during the quarter, reflecting its commitment to shareholder value[4][16] - Cash dividend payments totaled $645 million, slightly up from $633 million year-over-year[19] Sales and Revenue Outlook - For the full year 2025, Lowe's expects total sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion, with comparable sales projected to be flat to up 1%[10] - The company affirms its full year 2025 outlook despite near-term uncertainties in the housing market[6][3] Operating Metrics - The company anticipates an operating margin of 12.3% to 12.4% for the full year 2025[10] - Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $3,379 million from $4,262 million, reflecting a decline of 20.7% year-over-year[19] Capital Expenditures and Investments - Capital expenditures for 2025 are estimated to be approximately $2.5 billion[10] - Capital expenditures increased to $518 million from $382 million, reflecting a 35.6% rise in investment in growth initiatives[19] Debt and Cash Management - The company repaid $778 million in debt during the period, significantly higher than $22 million in the previous year[19] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $3,054 million, down from $3,237 million a year earlier[19] - The net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period was $1,293 million, compared to $2,316 million in the prior year, indicating a decrease of 44.1%[19] Inventory Management - Merchandise inventory decreased by $926 million, an improvement compared to a decrease of $1,330 million in the prior year[19] Stock Repurchase - The company repurchased $112 million of common stock, a substantial decrease from $923 million in the same period last year[19] Store Operations - Lowe's operates 1,750 stores with a total retail selling space of 195.3 million square feet as of May 2, 2025[3][16] Customer Satisfaction - Lowe's achieved the highest score in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Study[5][3]

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with the top and bottom lines surpassing the Zack Consensus Estimate. However, both metrics declined year over year. The Mooresville, NC- based company posted a comparable sales decline in the quarter under review. Despite near-term uncertainty and headwinds in the housing market, the company's strong emphasis on exceptional customer service led to improved satisfaction levels. Continued strategic investments in technology, upgraded st ...