Lowe's Builds Out $8.8 Billion Wholesale Play as DIY Slows

Core Insights - The company is focusing on long-term growth from professional contractors, highlighted by an $8.8 billion acquisition of Foundation Building Materials to enhance wholesale capabilities and better serve Pro customers [1][3][5] - Despite modest sales growth, the company faces challenges from inflation, elevated interest rates, and a fluctuating housing market, leading to a lowered full-year profit outlook [8][11] - Online sales increased by 11.4%, and home services revenue saw double-digit growth, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards outsourcing installation and remodeling tasks [9][10] Financial Performance - For Q3, net sales rose to $20.8 billion, up from $20.2 billion year-over-year, while comparable sales increased by only 0.4% [8] - The company is experiencing a complex integration of expanded capabilities while maintaining operational simplicity, which includes aligning technology systems and consolidating supply chains [10][11] Strategic Focus - The integration of Foundation Building Materials is a significant shift for the company, allowing it to control more of the Pro ecosystem from specification to fulfillment [7][11] - Professional contractors, although a small share of overall store traffic, contribute a disproportionately large share of revenue, making them central to the company's long-term strategy [4][9]