TLDR
- Lowe’s stock dropped about 4% to $208 after reporting mixed Q2 results on Wednesday
- Adjusted EPS came in at $4.40, beating the $4.22 estimate, but revenue of $26 billion missed the $26.14 billion forecast
- Full-year sales outlook was narrowed to $92 billion, below the Wall Street consensus of $92.94 billion
- Comparable sales rose just 0.2%, driven by professional customers and online sales, while DIY demand remained soft
- Analysts hold a Moderate Buy consensus on LOW with an average price target of $261.12, implying around 21% upside
Lowe’s stock dropped roughly 4% to around $208 in early Wednesday trading after the home improvement retailer posted a mixed Q2 and cut the top end of its full-year sales outlook.
The stock was already down 11% for the year heading into the print. The latest results did little to help.
For the quarter ending July 31, Lowe’s reported adjusted earnings of $4.40 per share, up 1.6% year over year and above the analyst estimate of $4.22. Total sales came in at $26 billion, up 8% from the same period last year, but just under the expected $26.14 billion.
LOWE'S $LOW Q2’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
🔹 Revenue: $26.0B (Est. $26.16B) 🔴; +8% YoY
🔹 Adj. EPS: $4.40 (Est. $4.22) 🟢; +1.6% YoY
🔹 Comparable Sales: +0.2%
🔹 Net Earnings: $2.4BCuts FY26 Guide:
🔹 Revenue: $92.0B; from $92.0B-$94.0B
🔹 Comparable Sales: flat YoY; from flat… pic.twitter.com/9D9oWodJTW— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) August 19, 2026
Net income for the quarter was $2.4 billion, roughly flat compared to a year ago.
The bigger concern for investors was the guidance. Lowe’s narrowed its full-year sales outlook to $92 billion, down from a prior range of $92 billion to $94 billion. Wall Street had expected $92.94 billion. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance was set at $12.25, below the consensus of $12.43.
The company also said it now expects full-year comparable sales to come in flat, pulling back from its earlier forecast of flat to 2% growth.
Pro and Online Sales Carry the Quarter
Comparable sales grew 0.2% during the quarter. That modest gain was driven by professional customers, including contractors, builders, and remodelers, along with growth in online sales and home services.
Online sales rose 15.7% during the period. Home installation, design, and management services also contributed to the top line.
CEO Marvin Ellison pointed to these areas as the foundation of the result. “Sustained growth in Pro, Online, and Home Services led to our fifth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, despite pressure in discretionary DIY spending,” he said.
DIY Demand Stays Soft
DIY spending continued to lag as high inflation kept smaller home projects on the back burner for many consumers. That pressure weighed on overall revenue despite the strength in Pro and online channels.
The housing market is recovering, but elevated prices have continued to dampen home improvement activity through 2026.
Wall Street analysts currently hold a Moderate Buy consensus on LOW, based on 14 Buy ratings and 7 Hold ratings from 21 analysts over the past three months.
The average price target sits at $261.12, which implies about 21% upside from current levels. Those ratings may be revised following the updated guidance.
Options markets had priced in a move of about 4.3% around the earnings release. The stock landed right in line with that expectation.
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