Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) Shares Sold by First Financial Bank Trust Division

First Financial Bank Trust Division trimmed its holdings in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) by 2.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 39,668 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock after selling 865 shares during the period. Lowe’s Companies accounts for about 0.9% of First Financial Bank Trust Division’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. First Financial Bank Trust Division’s holdings in Lowe’s Companies were worth $9,790,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Lowe’s Companies by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 649,601 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $175,944,000 after buying an additional 24,812 shares during the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC lifted its position in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 0.3% in the third quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 789,013 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $213,704,000 after acquiring an additional 2,225 shares in the last quarter. Brass Tax Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Lowe’s Companies by 7.7% during the third quarter. Brass Tax Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,217 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $600,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Copley Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Lowe’s Companies during the 3rd quarter worth about $247,000. Finally, Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc. raised its stake in Lowe’s Companies by 13.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc. now owns 2,240 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $607,000 after purchasing an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. 74.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lowe’s Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:LOW traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $246.98. 1,970,475 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,440,164. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $263.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $252.22. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $209.55 and a twelve month high of $287.01. The company has a market cap of $139.46 billion, a PE ratio of 20.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.09.

Lowe’s Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be paid a dividend of $1.15 per share. This represents a $4.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 22nd. Lowe’s Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 38.37%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on LOW. Loop Capital raised shares of Lowe’s Companies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $250.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Lowe’s Companies from $282.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Wedbush reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of Lowe’s Companies in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $275.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Lowe’s Companies from $301.00 to $304.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lowe’s Companies has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $280.85.

Insider Transactions at Lowe’s Companies

In other news, EVP Quonta D. Vance sold 7,198 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.37, for a total value of $1,974,915.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,703 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,582,802.11. This represents a 30.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

About Lowe’s Companies

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.