Lowe’s Projects Flat to 2% Sales Growth, EPS $12.25–12.75; Shares Slide Up to 4%
Lowe’s projected fiscal 2026 comparable-sales growth of 0–2% and adjusted EPS of $12.25–$12.75 versus a $13 consensus, while Q4 EPS was $1.98 and comp-sales grew 1.3% on $20.58 billion revenue. Shares slid up to 4% then dropped 2.7% after the CEO cited a pressured U.S. housing market and will emphasize productivity initiatives.
1. Q4 Earnings and Sales Performance
Lowe’s reported Q4 EPS of $1.98, up from $1.93 a year earlier and above the $1.94 consensus. Net sales climbed 11% to $20.58 billion and comparable-sales rose 1.3%, topping the 0.47% growth forecast.
2. Fiscal 2026 Guidance Below Expectations
The company forecast fiscal 2026 comparable-sales growth of 0–2% and adjusted EPS of $12.25–$12.75, missing analyst views for 2% sales growth and $13 EPS. Management cited ongoing pressure in the U.S. housing market as the main headwind.
3. Share Reaction and Market Response
Shares fell as much as 4% intra-day and later slid 2.7% on the soft outlook. Investors reacted to the weaker guidance even as leadership pledged to boost productivity initiatives to counter uneven housing-market demand.