Lowe's Companies, Inc. research snapshot

LOW AI Stock Analysis

LOW AI stock analysis currently reads Lowe's as a data-rich home improvement retailer with strong free cash flow, a fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, faster online growth, and a raised dividend, but a stock that has fallen to the lower part of its 52-week range. This Lowe's AI stock analysis treats the LOW AI stock forecast as a scenario range, not a fixed price call. At the August 2, 2026 data cutoff, LOW closed near $207.81 on July 31, 2026 with a verified market capitalization near $116.52 billion. Q1 FY2026 sales rose 10.3% to $23.078 billion with comparable sales up 0.6%, and management affirmed full-year 2026 sales of $92.0 to $94.0 billion with adjusted EPS of $12.25 to $12.75. The LOW AI stock forecast depends on housing turnover, DIY traffic, Pro and online momentum, acquisition integration, leverage, and whether that fiscal 2026 guidance holds through the August 19, 2026 earnings report.

Current price

$207.81 close on July 31, 2026; $208.38 in after-hours trading

Market cap

$116.52 billion verified market cap

AI score

61 / 100

Rating

Cash-generative home improvement retailer with improving Pro and online momentum, a weak near-term chart, high debt, and more attractive valuation support

Trend status

Below the 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages with RSI near 45, a weak chart through July 31, 2026

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
A-level information richness. Lowe's has a long public history, company earnings releases, SEC filings, detailed third-party financial data, liquid market data, 35 analyst estimates, and direct comparison points against Home Depot.
bias Check
The main AI research bias is overfitting to the familiar Home Depot versus Lowe's narrative. The counter-check is to separate business quality from stock certainty and ask whether Pro and online momentum, a flat to up 2% comp outlook, high debt, and a weak sub-200-day trend leave enough margin of safety.
ai Confidence
High for FY2025 and TTM revenue, net earnings, Q1 FY2026 sales and EPS, share count, market-cap math, cash, debt, valuation ratios, analyst targets, and technical moving averages. Medium for forward return ranges because housing activity, interest rates, integration costs, and consumer project timing can change quickly.
investment Certainty
Medium. Lowe's has a durable retail franchise and shareholder-friendly cash returns, but investment certainty is capped by cyclical demand, negative book equity from buybacks, higher debt after acquisitions, a weak technical chart, and dependence on a housing recovery.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityLowe's sells home improvement products, appliances, tools, building materials, services, and Pro-focused distribution through a large store and digital network. The business is relevant and cash generative, but demand is tied to housing, repair, remodel, consumer confidence, and project size.High
MoatThe moat comes from brand awareness, national scale, store density, vendor relationships, omnichannel fulfillment, private brands, loyalty data, and growing Pro capabilities. It is real but narrower than Home Depot's Pro advantage.Medium-high
ManagementMarvin Ellison has repositioned Lowe's around the Total Home strategy, productivity, digital execution, online growth, and Pro penetration. Q1 FY2026 delivered a 10.3% sales increase, 0.6% comparable growth, and a 4% dividend increase, but the test remains FBM and ADG integration without overloading the balance sheet.Medium-high
Financial trendFY2025 sales were $86.286 billion and net earnings were $6.654 billion. TTM revenue reached $88.43 billion with net income near $6.62 billion. Q1 FY2026 sales rose 10.3% to $23.078 billion with comparable sales up 0.6%, while GAAP EPS was $2.90 and adjusted EPS $3.03.High
ValuationAt $207.81, LOW screens near 17.57x TTM EPS, 16.34x forward EPS, 1.32x sales per share, 15.29x free cash flow per share, and a 2.41% dividend yield. The valuation is more supportive than it was in early July, but it still needs stable earnings and debt discipline.High
Technical trendLOW closed near $207.81 on July 31, 2026, below its 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, with RSI near 45 and 14-day ADX near 14. The chart is weak and near the lower part of the 52-week range.Medium
Risk levelKey risks include elevated mortgage rates, weak DIY traffic, delayed big-ticket projects, tariff and input-cost pressure, Home Depot competition, acquisition integration, high total debt of about $42.5 billion, and negative shareholder equity.Medium-high
AI confidenceDescriptive confidence is high because company and StockAnalysis data agree on the core numbers. Forecast confidence is lower because housing-cycle timing and integration performance dominate the forward path.High data confidence
Investment certaintyLOW offers a quality retail franchise at a more moderate multiple, but the stock needs either stronger housing data, cleaner Pro integration, a technical reclaim of the 200-day average, debt reduction, or a proven earnings path to raise certainty.Medium

LOW AI stock forecast

LOW AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The LOW AI stock forecast is scenario-based because earnings are sensitive to comparable sales, Pro penetration, online growth, gross margin, acquisition amortization, interest expense, and capital returns. Using a $207.81 price reference, TTM EPS of $11.83, and the financial_rigor.py three-scenario model with 7%, 3%, and -5% EPS growth and 20x, 17x, and 13x exit multiples over three years, the mechanical outcomes are about $289.80 in a bullish case, $219.80 in a base case, and $131.90 in a bearish case before dividends.

Bullish case

$280 to $300 before dividends

More likely if mortgage rates ease, housing turnover improves, fiscal 2026 comparable sales exceed the flat to 2% outlook, FBM and ADG expand Pro wallet share, operating margin recovers, and the market values LOW near 20x higher earnings.

Base case

$210 to $230 before dividends

More likely if Lowe's holds fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance, comparable sales stay slightly positive, online and Pro gains offset weak DIY demand, acquisition costs remain controlled, and the multiple holds around the mid-to-high teens.

Bearish case

$125 to $145 before dividends

More likely if DIY demand weakens further, large projects stay delayed, tariffs or input costs pressure margins, integration debt weighs on cash flow, or investors reprice LOW closer to a 13x earnings multiple.

LOW AI technical analysis

LOW AI Technical Analysis

LOW AI technical analysis is weak as of the August 2, 2026 data cutoff. StockAnalysis showed a July 31 close of $207.81, market cap near $116.52 billion, a 20-day moving average near $210.88, a 50-day moving average near $214.46, a 100-day moving average near $225.29, a 200-day moving average near $239.31, RSI near 44.92, and 20-day average volume near 2.97 million shares. The price sits near the 52-week low of $199.40.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price reference$207.81 close; $208.38 after hoursStockAnalysis showed the July 31 close and a small after-hours gain.
Immediate support$206 to $210This zone brackets the July 31 day low near $206.02 and the 20-day moving average near $210.88.
Trend support$199 to $202The 52-week low is $199.40 and the lowest analyst target is $202. A break below this area would signal that housing and balance-sheet concerns are driving price action.
Near resistance$211 to $215This area includes the 20-day moving average near $210.88 and the 50-day moving average near $214.46, the first overhead cluster.
Major resistance$225 to $239This range surrounds the 100-day moving average near $225.29 and the 200-day moving average near $239.31. A reclaim would improve the longer-term trend read.
Upper resistance$263 to $293StockAnalysis listed an analyst target near $262.91 and a 52-week high of $293.06. These are not forecast guarantees.
Moving averages20-day $210.88, 50-day $214.46, 100-day $225.29, 200-day $239.31Price below every major average points to a weak or repairing trend rather than a confirmed uptrend.
MomentumRSI near 44.92, ADX near 13.7Momentum is neutral to soft. A stronger signal would need price to reclaim the 50-day average and push toward the 200-day average.
Volume20-day average near 2.97 million sharesVolume around housing data, Lowe's August 19 earnings, guidance updates, and acquisition commentary should be watched for confirmation.
Volatility14-day historical volatility near 32.5%Barchart reported elevated near-term volatility, so position sizing should account for larger swings around the August 19 earnings report.
InvalidationClose below $199, or failed reclaim of $214 to $215A sustained close below the 52-week low would weaken the base-building setup. A failure at the 50-day area keeps trend confidence limited.

LOW AI trading strategy

LOW AI Trading Strategy Framework

The LOW AI trading strategy below is a rules-based research framework, not personal advice. It connects technical levels with comparable sales, Pro momentum, online growth, DIY traffic, gross margin, acquisition integration, interest expense, free cash flow, and debt reduction.

Trend-following setup

Watch for LOW to hold the $206 to $210 area, reclaim the $211 to $215 resistance cluster, and then work toward the $225 to $239 200-day zone with improving volume, stable fiscal 2026 guidance, and better housing data.

A failed move above the 50-day moving average followed by a close below $199 should reduce trend confidence, especially if management lowers comparable-sales or margin expectations at the August 19 report.

Mean-reversion setup

If LOW retests the low $200s without a permanent earnings reset, compare the lower price with free cash flow per share near $13.59, a 2.41% dividend yield, debt reduction, and whether Pro and online gains are offsetting weak DIY demand.

Do not treat every pullback as attractive if total debt rises, integration costs surprise, gross margin weakens, or free cash flow cannot fund dividends and deleveraging.

Fundamental monitor

Track comparable sales, Pro sales, online sales growth, DIY transactions, average ticket, appliance demand, FBM and ADG contribution, operating margin, interest expense, free cash flow, total debt, the August 19 earnings report, and housing turnover.

Position sizing should reflect that Lowe's can be a good business while still producing weak stock returns if bought before housing demand and the technical trend recover.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay Lowe's for convenient home improvement products, project supplies, appliances, installation services, job-site support, and digital ordering. The economic engine is a national store network, vendor scale, Pro relationships, online fulfillment, and recurring repair and remodel needs.

Moat

The moat is built on brand familiarity, store density, procurement scale, loyalty data, omnichannel fulfillment, and growing Pro capabilities. It is durable but not absolute because Home Depot has stronger Pro scale and specialty distributors compete for trade customers.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis fails if higher rates keep housing turnover low, consumers postpone discretionary projects, acquisition debt absorbs cash flow, Pro expansion disappoints, or the market decides that a mid-to-high teens multiple is too high for low growth.

Management

Marvin Ellison's team has focused on Total Home, productivity, digital tools, online growth, Pro penetration, and disciplined capital returns. The next proof point is the August 19, 2026 earnings report and whether FBM and ADG integration create lasting growth after a large debt-funded M&A cycle.

Industry trend

Repair and remodel demand has long-term support from aging housing stock, home equity, and professional contractor needs. The near-term headwinds are affordability, weak turnover, inflation fatigue, and customers delaying larger discretionary projects.

Valuation and margin of safety

The current price implies that Lowe's can protect earnings through a soft housing market and later benefit from Pro growth and a housing recovery. Margin of safety is moderate, not high, because debt is elevated and the chart sits below the 200-day moving average near the 52-week low.

Source-backed data

LOW Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
Current price$207.81 close on July 31, 2026; $208.38 after hoursStockAnalysis overviewAugust 1, 2026
Market capitalization$116.52 billion, verified as $207.81 x 560.71 million shares with 0.00% deviationfinancial_rigor.py market cap verificationAugust 2, 2026
Shares outstanding560.71 million, down 0.89% year over yearStockAnalysis statisticsAugust 1, 2026
TTM revenue and net incomeRevenue $88.43 billion, up 6.24%; net income $6.62 billionStockAnalysis financialsAugust 1, 2026
FY2025 sales$86.286 billion, up 3.12% from $83.674 billionLowe's FY2025 results and StockAnalysis financialsAugust 1, 2026
FY2025 net earnings$6.654 billionLowe's FY2025 results and StockAnalysis financialsAugust 1, 2026
Q1 FY2026 sales and comps$23.078 billion sales, up 10.3%; comparable sales up 0.6%; online sales up 15.5%Lowe's Q1 FY2026 resultsAugust 1, 2026
Q1 FY2026 EPS$2.90 GAAP diluted EPS; $3.03 adjusted diluted EPSLowe's Q1 FY2026 resultsAugust 1, 2026
Cash and short-term investments$1.244 billion as of May 1, 2026Lowe's Q1 FY2026 results and StockAnalysis balance sheetAugust 1, 2026
Total debt and net debt$42.540 billion total debt; about $41.296 billion net debtLowe's Q1 FY2026 balance sheet and StockAnalysisAugust 1, 2026
TTM free cash flowOperating cash flow $9.835 billion, capital expenditures $2.216 billion, free cash flow $7.619 billionStockAnalysis cash flow statementAugust 1, 2026
Valuation ratios17.57x PE, 16.34x forward PE, 1.32x PS, 15.29x P/FCF, 12.62x EV/EBITDA, 2.41% dividend yieldStockAnalysis statistics and financial_rigor.py verificationAugust 2, 2026
Dividend$5.00 annual run rate, $1.25 quarterly after a 4% increase, 54 years of growth, payout 42.27%StockAnalysis dividends and Lowe's dividend announcementAugust 1, 2026
Technical indicators20-day MA $210.88, 50-day MA $214.46, 100-day MA $225.29, 200-day MA $239.31, RSI 44.92StockAnalysis statistics and Barchart technical analysisJuly 31, 2026
52-week range$199.40 to $293.06StockAnalysis overviewAugust 1, 2026
Analyst consensusBuy with an average target of $262.91 across 35 analysts, low $202, median $270, high $300StockAnalysis forecastJuly 31, 2026
Analyst rating mix, July 202619 Strong Buy, 5 Buy, 10 Hold, 1 Sell out of 35 analystsStockAnalysis forecast recommendation trendsJuly 31, 2026
Recent analyst target updatesJ.P. Morgan $279 to $252, BofA Securities $257, Jefferies $278, Truist $255, Telsey $280StockAnalysis forecast latest forecasts, TipRanksAugust 1, 2026
Short interest11.09 million shares short, 1.98% of shares outstanding, 3.67 days to coverStockAnalysis statistics short sellingAugust 1, 2026
FY2026 outlookSales $92.0 to $94.0 billion, comps flat to up 2%, operating margin 11.2% to 11.4%, GAAP EPS $11.75 to $12.25, adjusted EPS $12.25 to $12.75Lowe's Q1 FY2026 resultsAugust 1, 2026
Next earnings dateAugust 19, 2026, before market openStockAnalysis earnings calendarAugust 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This LOW AI stock analysis is an informational research tool only and is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a promise of future returns. Forecast scenarios are based on available company filings, market data, analyst estimates, and assumptions as of the stated data cutoff, and they can be wrong if earnings, rates, housing demand, valuation multiples, or market conditions change.