Is Lowe's Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Core Insights - Lowe's Companies, Inc. operates as a major home improvement retailer with a market cap of $133.5 billion and a significant presence in the U.S. market [1][2] Company Overview - Lowe's operates over 1,750 home improvement and hardware stores across the U.S. and employs more than 300,000 people, making it the second largest home improvement retailer globally [1][2] Stock Performance - Lowe's stock reached a 52-week high of $280.64 on December 9, 2024, but is currently trading 13.9% below that peak [3] - The stock has declined 6.5% over the past three months, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which saw a 5.4% increase during the same period [3] - Year-to-date, Lowe's stock has dipped 2.1% and has fallen nearly 12% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 has surged by 15.8% in 2025 [4] Financial Performance - In Q3, Lowe's net sales grew 1.6% year-over-year to approximately $24 billion, slightly missing market expectations [5] - The adjusted EPS for the quarter increased by 5.6% year-over-year to $4.33, surpassing consensus estimates by 2.4% [5] Competitive Position - Lowe's has outperformed its peer Home Depot, which has seen an 8.6% decline year-to-date and a 17.2% drop over the past 52 weeks [6] - Among analysts, the consensus rating for Lowe's stock is a "Moderate Buy," with a mean price target of $272.50, indicating a potential upside of 12.8% from current levels [6]