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. In addition, the company offers installation services through independent contractors in various product categories; and extended protection plans and repair services. It sells its national brand-name merchandise and private brand products to professional customers, homeowners, renters, businesses, and government. The company also sells its products through Lowes.com website; and through mobile applications. Lowe's Companies, Inc. was founded in 1921 and is based in Mooresville, North Carolina.

На фоне текущей динамики фундаментальных показателей Lowe's Companies, наблюдается как положительные, так и негативные факторы. С одной стороны, показатели EPS и EPS прогнозов значительно превышают медианные значения по отрасли, что создаёт позитивный импульс для оценки компании. Также, чистая прибыль и операционная маржа показывают хорошие результаты, что свидетельствует о стабильности бизнеса. Однако, некоторые мультипликаторы, такие как P/S и P/FCF, находятся на высоком уровне относительно отрасли, что может указывать на переоценённость. Долговая нагрузка низкая, что является положительным моментом, однако абсолютные значения долгосрочного долга и отрицательная собственная капитализация вызывают опасения. Гросс-маржа находится ниже медианы, что может указывать на ухудшающуюся конкурентоспособность. В целом, несмотря на некоторые сильные стороны, высокая оценка по мультипликаторам и слабые стороны в некоторых финансовых показателях требуют пересмотра целевой цены в сторону уменьшения.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Несмотря на сильные EPS и чистую прибыль, высокие мультипликаторы и слабая гросс-маржа создают риски для оценки Lowe's Companies.

The latest earnings season is winding down, but that doesn’t mean this week is lacking in terms of earnings announcements.
Home Depot is scheduled to release its fiscal first-quarter 2026 results on Tuesday, May 19th before the opening bell. Analysts expect a modest performance, with our Zacks Consensus Estimates calling for total revenues of approximately $41.53 billion (+4.2% YoY) and EPS of $3.42 (-3.93% YoY). The consensus estimate for EPS has been unchanged in the past 60 days.
The company’s Zacks Rank currently sits at #3 (Hold), reflecting balanced but cautious expectations as the housing market remains constrained. Investors will be focused on management’s commentary regarding underlying demand trends and the trajectory for the remainder of the year.
How Will Home Depot’s Performance Compare?
Comparable sales are expected to be relatively flat to slightly positive. The leading home improvement retailer is reaping the benefits of its investments in AI, delivery, and supply chain optimization as recent online comps have shown. These innovations reflect enhanced digital platform capabilities and seamless integration with stores, where more than half of online orders are fulfilled.
Consumer trends in the home improvement space reflect a cautious but resilient buyer. Shoppers are prioritizing essential repairs and smaller projects over large-scale renovations, driven by elevated borrowing costs and economic uncertainty.
This has led to more measured spending patterns, with strength in categories tied to maintenance and outdoor living. Home Depot’s investments in its professional customer offerings and supply chain have helped it capture share in this environment, though overall ticket sizes remain under pressure compared to peak years.
The interest rate environment will be a key topic on the earnings call. With 30-year mortgage rates still elevated, housing turnover remains suppressed, which historically limits big-ticket purchases. This dynamic has supported steady, albeit modest, demand for repair and maintenance projects. Home Depot’s Pro segment is likely to remain a bright spot, as contractors remain active on smaller-scale jobs even as big-ticket renovations stay selective.
The SRS acquisition has emerged as a meaningful growth lever for Home Depot. Early signs of synergies, particularly through cross-selling with Home Depot HD and GMS, are encouraging. Management expects mid-single-digit organic growth from SRS in fiscal 2026, underscoring confidence in its trajectory.
Lowe’s Set to Follow Home Depot’s Lead
Lowe’s is scheduled to report its own fiscal first-quarter results on Wednesday, May 20th ahead of the opening bell. Our Zacks Consensus Estimates project revenues of approximately $22.91 billion (+9.5% YoY) and EPS of $2.85 (+1.37% YoY).
Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), as analysts await more clarity on the pace of recovery in the home improvement sector. Like its larger peer, Lowe’s faces a challenging macro backdrop but continues to benefit from its strategic focus on the professional customer and operational improvements.
Comparable sales during the quarter are expected to show modest improvement. The company has seen relative strength in its Pro segment, which now represents a growing portion of sales.
Lowe’s LOW has also benefited from its expanded offerings in online fulfillment, which have helped drive engagement. The retailer is exploring AI-enabled agentic commerce, where digital assistants help customers discover and purchase products. These digital investments are supporting traffic growth and increasing the role of e-commerce in the company’s sales mix.
Higher mortgage rates have kept many homeowners in place, leading to increased investment in repairs and upgrades to existing homes. Lowe’s “Total Home” strategy, which emphasizes both Pro and DIY customers, appears well-aligned with these current spending patterns.
Interest rates remain a critical variable for the home improvement business. However, any meaningful decline in rates later this year could catalyze a pickup in activity. Management has previously noted that even modest improvements in affordability could unlock deferred projects, particularly in categories like appliances, flooring, and outdoor living.
Bottom Line
Overall, the upcoming reports should provide clarity on whether the soft patch in DIY spending has steadied. With strong balance sheets and leading positions in both the consumer and professional channels, both Home Depot and Lowe’s remain well-equipped to navigate the current environment.
These two home improvement giants are positioned to benefit from any stabilization or improvement in the housing and remodel market. Any constructive commentary on comp trends or 2026 outlook could help support sentiment heading into the seasonally stronger second half of the year.
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Home Depot, Lowe's Headline Big Week for Retail Earnings

Ross Stores, Inc. ROST is likely to post year-over-year growth in top and bottom lines when it reports first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on May 21, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $5.5 billion, indicating a rise of 11.2% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.66 per share, up 12.9% from $1.47 earned in the year-earlier period. The consensus mark has increased by a penny in the past seven days.
Ross Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
ROST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.2%, on average. In the last reported quarter, the company posted an earnings surprise of 6.4%.
Factors Likely to Influence ROST’s Q1 Results
Ross Stores’ first-quarter fiscal 2026 performance is expected to have been supported by continued strength in customer traffic, improved merchandise assortments and healthy execution across its stores and supply chain. The company entered the quarter with strong momentum following an impressive holiday season, as its off-price model continued to resonate with value-focused shoppers. Management also noted that better marketing campaigns and operational enhancements, including improved store recovery and faster checkout, have helped deepen customer engagement and support higher transaction volumes.
Several business drivers are likely to have supported first-quarter results. Ross Stores has benefited from broad-based strength across key merchandise categories, with continued momentum in Ladies, shoes, cosmetics and improving trends in home. Inventory levels remain well positioned, giving the company flexibility to chase demand and capitalize on favorable buying opportunities in the marketplace. Additionally, the success of recent marketing initiatives and strong new-store productivity should have contributed to higher traffic and market share gains as consumers increasingly shift spending toward off-price retailers.
On the last quarter’searnings call management cited macroeconomic uncertainties but emphasized that sales trends were broad-based across geographies and income cohorts, indicating steady engagement from its core low-to-moderate-income customer base despite external pressures.
As a result, ROST anticipated comparable sales (comps) growth of 7-8% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The company forecasts total sales to increase 10-12% year over year. Operating margin is expected to be 11.8-12.1%. Earnings per share are projected in the range of $1.60 to $1.67. The company plans to open 17 new stores during the quarter, including 13 Ross Dress for Less locations and four dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. Our model projects comps growth of 7% in the fiscal first quarter.
However, Ross Stores has remained cautious regarding the broader macroeconomic environment, noting that uncertainty around consumer spending and global trade conditions could create volatility in demand. Management highlighted that tariffs were a meaningful headwind during fiscal 2025, particularly in the home category, and noted that higher duties on China-sourced goods increased merchandise costs. While Ross Stores has made progress in recapturing some of these pressures through better buying and merchandising strategies, evolving trade policies and other macro uncertainties remain factors the company is monitoring closely.
What the Zacks Model Unveils for ROST Stock
Our proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for Ross Stores this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is exactly the case here.
Ross Stores currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.17% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
ROST’s Stock Price Performance & Valuation Picture
From a valuation perspective, Ross Stores is trading at a discount relative to industry benchmarks. The company has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 28.21X, lower than the Retail-Discount Stores industry’s average of 32.35X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The recent market movements show that ROST’s shares have gained 6.1% in the past three months compared with the industry's 0.4% rise.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Here are three other companies, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:
Casey's General Stores CASY currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.02% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Casey's upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $3.44, which implies 30.8% growth year over year. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pinned at $4.33 billion, which indicates 8.4% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. CASY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20%, on average.
Lowe's Companies LOW currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.57% and a Zacks Rank #3. The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $22.91 billion, which indicates an increase of 9.5% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lowe's Companies’ upcoming quarter’s earnings per share is pegged at $2.96, implying a 1.4% year-over-year decline. LOW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.1%, on average.
Costco Wholesale Corporation COST currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.82% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its upcoming quarter’s revenues is pegged at $69.36 billion, indicating a 9.7% rise from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The consensus estimate for Costco’s earnings is pegged at $4.91 per share, implying 14.7% growth from the year-ago quarter. COST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.1%, on average.
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Ross Stores Gears Up to Report Q1 Earnings: Is a Beat in Store?

Wall Street analysts forecast that Lowe's (LOW) will report quarterly earnings of $2.96 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 1.4%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $22.91 billion, exhibiting an increase of 9.5% compared to the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.
With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some Lowe's metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Number of stores - Total' will reach 1,761 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 1,750 .
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Sales floor square footage - Total' of 196.29 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 195.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Sales per store' at $13.03 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $11.96 million in the same quarter last year.
The consensus estimate for 'Average store size selling square feet' stands at 111.50 thousand. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 112.00 thousand.
View all Key Company Metrics for Lowe's here>>>
Over the past month, shares of Lowe's have returned -7.8% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +7.7% change. Currently, LOW carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting that it may outperform. the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
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Stay Ahead of the Game With Lowe's (LOW) Q1 Earnings: Wall Street's Insights on Key Metrics

The Home Depot, Inc. HD is set to report first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on May 19, before market open. The company’s top line is expected to have increased year over year in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter revenues is pegged at $41.5 billion, indicating growth of 4.2% from the year-ago quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $3.42 indicates a decline of 3.9% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. The consensus estimate for EPS has been unchanged in the past 30 days.
The Home Depot, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Atlanta, GA-based leading home improvement retailer delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 1.16%. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 7.9%.
HD’s Q1 Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Home Depot this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Home Depot has an Earnings ESP of -0.34% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Trends to Monitor Before HD’s Q1 Earnings
Home Depot’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 results are likely to reflect modest sales growth and stable customer engagement trends, supported by continued momentum in Pro demand, digital capabilities and market-share gains. Management highlighted on the lastearnings callthat underlying demand remained relatively stable despite ongoing pressure on the broader housing market. First-quarter fiscal 2026 results are also expected to benefit from contributions from the GMS acquisition and expansion of the SRS business, which continue to support the company’s Pro ecosystem and market-share growth initiatives.
Home Depot continues to invest heavily in its “One Home Depot” strategy, focusing on interconnected retail, supply-chain enhancements and improving the Pro ecosystem. The company noted that Pro customers utilizing its expanding ecosystem of delivery, project management and trade-credit tools are spending more across categories. Management also highlighted strong traction from AI-enabled project management tools, delivery tracking systems and order management enhancements, which are helping improve customer engagement and conversion rates.
Home Depot is also likely to benefit in first-quarter fiscal 2026 from strong demand in repair-and-maintenance categories, particularly following severe winter weather conditions across several regions in the United States. Management indicated that categories tied to storm recovery and weather-related repairs, including roofing, plumbing, electrical and outdoor maintenance, could see improved demand trends. The company also expects its spring selling season lineup, supported by innovative products and promotional events, to drive customer traffic and support comparable sales growth during the quarter.
However, Home Depot continues to face meaningful macroeconomic pressures that are likely to weigh on first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings. Management acknowledged that elevated mortgage rates, low housing turnover and affordability challenges continue to suppress large discretionary home-improvement projects. The company specifically stated that it has “not yet seen a catalyst for an inflection in housing activity,” suggesting that demand for big-ticket remodeling categories remains subdued.
Another negative factor for the quarter is expected margin pressure related to the GMS acquisition and ongoing pricing investments within SRS. Management guided for first-half gross margins to decline about 50 basis points year over year due to acquisition annualization effects. Additionally, SRS faced aggressive industry pricing conditions after weak roofing demand and lower storm activity, leading the company to invest in pricing to preserve market share. Home Depot indicated that some of this pricing pressure will continue into the first quarter.
The company also warned that first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings-per-share performance is expected to be down mid-single digits year over year because of acquisition-related costs, expense timing and margin headwinds. Management further emphasized that ongoing consumer uncertainty around inflation, employment conditions and financing costs continues to impact spending behavior, particularly for larger discretionary projects. HD noted that customers remain focused more on repair-and-maintenance activity rather than undertaking major renovation projects, which could continue to limit upside in the near term.
Our model predicts a gross margin of 32.9% for the fiscal first quarter, contracting 90 bps year over year. We expect adjusted operating income to decline 4% in the fiscal first quarter, with a 100-bps decline in the operating margin to 12.2%.
HD’s Price Performance & Valuation
Home Depot’s shares have lost 22.6% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 21.1% decline. However, the stock has lagged the S&P 500 and the Retail-Wholesale sector’s growth of 9.1% and 5.6%, respectively, in the same period.
HD’s 3-Month Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Home Depot’s stock has outperformed its arch-rival Lowe’s Companies Inc. LOW and Floor & Decor FND, which fell 23.3% and 35% in the past three months. Meanwhile, HD has underperformed FGI Industries FGI, which has risen 6.6% in the same period.
Home Depot’s current valuation appears quite pricey. The company trades at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 19.65X, exceeding the industry average of 18.78X and below the S&P 500’s average of 22.07X.
HD Stock's P/E Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Given the premium valuation, investors may face significant risks if the company's future performance does not meet expectations. The retail market is becoming increasingly competitive, and Home Depot’s initiatives may not suffice to drive significant growth. Macroeconomic challenges and heightened competition can impede the company's ability to sustain its current growth trajectory.
Investment Thesis on HD Stock
Home Depot continues to strengthen its position as the leading home-improvement retailer through strategic investments in its interconnected retail ecosystem, digital capabilities and Pro-focused initiatives. The company’s “One Home Depot” strategy remains a key growth driver, helping improve customer engagement, delivery reliability and omnichannel execution. Continued investments in AI-enabled project management tools, order-management systems and supply-chain enhancements are supporting higher Pro customer engagement and improving operational efficiency.
The company is also benefiting from the expansion of its Pro ecosystem through the GMS acquisition and growth in the SRS business. Home Depot continues to gain traction among professional contractors by enhancing delivery capabilities, trade-credit offerings and project-management tools. Strength in repair-and-maintenance categories, healthy online sales momentum and demand tied to severe winter weather conditions are expected to support first-quarter fiscal 2026 sales trends and help the company continue gaining market share despite a challenging housing backdrop.
At the same time, Home Depot faces near-term macroeconomic challenges, including elevated mortgage rates, weak housing turnover and subdued demand for large discretionary remodeling projects. Consumer uncertainty surrounding inflation, financing costs and employment conditions continues to pressure big-ticket categories. Margin pressures related to acquisition integration costs, pricing investments within SRS and higher operating expenses are also likely to weigh on profitability in the near term.
Conclusion
As Home Depot approaches its first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings release, investors remain focused on whether the company can sustain stable sales growth and market-share gains despite ongoing housing-market weakness. The company continues to benefit from resilient repair-and-maintenance demand, strong Pro engagement and steady progress in digital and interconnected retail initiatives. Expansion of the Pro ecosystem through GMS and SRS, combined with technology-driven operational improvements, provides additional support to the company’s long-term growth strategy.
However, near-term risks remain meaningful. Persistent pressure on large discretionary home-improvement projects, acquisition-related margin dilution and cautious consumer spending trends could continue to weigh on earnings growth. While Home Depot’s premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment, the company’s scale, operational discipline and strategic investments position it well to navigate the challenging environment and capitalize on a recovery in housing and remodeling demand over the longer term.
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Home Depot to Post Q1 Earnings: Is Now the Right Time to Invest?

The TJX Companies, Inc. TJX is likely to register top and bottom-line growth when it reports first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings on May 20. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $13.94 billion, which indicates a 6.3% increase from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
The consensus estimate, which has remained unchanged over the past 30 days at $1.00 per share, calls for an 8.7% rise compared with the same period last year. TJX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.9%, on average.
The TJX Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Things to Know Ahead of TJX’s Q1 Earnings
The TJX Companies has been benefiting from the strength of its off-price retail model, which remains appealing to value-conscious consumers in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. The company has been witnessing healthy customer traffic and transaction growth across banners, supported by its compelling branded merchandise assortment, flexible buying model and strong value positioning. On its lastearnings call management highlighted that the fiscal first quarter started on a strong note, aided by the outstanding availability of quality merchandise in the marketplace and the company’s ability to flow fresh assortments to stores and online channels throughout the spring season.
Per the lastearnings call TJX’s aggressive marketing initiatives, ongoing store remodels and focus on enhancing the in-store treasure-hunt shopping experience are likely to have supported sales momentum in the to-be-reported quarter. The company also noted continued success in attracting younger shoppers and gaining market share across income demographics. In addition, management stated that liquidity levels remained strong and merchandise availability was “off the charts,” enabling buyers to capitalize on favorable marketplace opportunities and maintain an exciting mix of branded goods.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, The TJX Companies expects consolidated comparable store sales growth of 2-3%, with consolidated sales projected in the range of $13.8-$13.9 billion. The company anticipates a pretax profit margin of 10.3-10.4% and earnings per share between 97 cents and 99 cents, implying year-over-year growth of 5-8%.
However, TJX continues to face certain cost pressures that might have weighed on profitability. Incremental store wage and payroll expenses are expected to have pressured SG&A costs in the fiscal first quarter. Additionally, the company remains cautious regarding the evolving tariff environment and related uncertainties. However, management expects to offset the tariff impact through its flexible off-price business model and merchandising capabilities.
Earnings Whispers for TJX Stock
Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for The TJX Companies this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chance of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.
The TJX Companies currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Some Stocks With a Favorable Combination
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Casey's General Stores CASY currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.02% and a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Casey's upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $3.44, which implies 30.8% growth year over year. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pinned at $4.33 billion, which indicates 8.4% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. CASY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20%, on average.
Lowe's Companies LOW currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.57% and a Zacks Rank #3. The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $22.91 billion, which indicates an increase of 9.5% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lowe's Companies’ upcoming quarter’s earnings per share is pegged at $2.96, implying a 1.4% year-over-year decline. LOW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.1%, on average.
Costco Wholesale Corporation COST currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.02% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its upcoming quarter’s revenues is pegged at $69.36 billion, indicating a 9.7% rise from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The consensus estimate for Costco’s earnings is pegged at $4.91 per share, implying 14.7% growth from the year-ago quarter. COST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.1%, on average.
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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
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See them now >>
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TJX Q1 Earnings on Deck: Essential Insights Ahead of the Report

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If you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
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A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
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With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Lowe's (LOW)
Lowe’s has evolved as one of the world’s leading home improvement retailer, offering services to homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. The company has been enhancing experience of its pro customers by upgrading pro-focused brands and revamping pro-service business website, LowesForPros.com. Incorporated in 1952 and based in Mooresville, NC, Lowe’s has its operations primarily in the U.S. The company offers services to homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. Homeowners and renters principally include do-it-yourself (DIY) customers and do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers who utilize the company’s installed sales programs. Commercial business customers consist of those who work in the construction, repair/remodel, commercial and residential property management and business maintenance professions.
LOW is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. LOW has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 3.3% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2027, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $12.69 per share. LOW boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.1%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, LOW should be on investors' short list.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Here's Why Lowe's (LOW) is a Strong Growth Stock

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Lowe's (LOW) Q4 2026 Earnings Transcript

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Lowe's (LOW) reports results for the quarter ended April 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 20. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on theearnings call it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus Estimate
This home improvement retailer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.96 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +1.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $22.91 billion, up 9.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions Trend
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings Whisper
Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Lowe's?
For Lowe's, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.57%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Lowe's will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?
Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Lowe's would post earnings of $1.95 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.98, delivering a surprise of +1.54%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom Line
An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Lowe's appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected Results
Lowe's (LOW), another stock in the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $2.96 for the quarter ended April 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +1.4%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $22.91 billion, up 9.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Lowe's has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.57%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Lowe's will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Should You Invest in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)?
Before you invest in Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Lowe's (LOW) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week's Release

Fintel reports that on May 12, 2026, Citigroup upgraded their outlook for Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) from Neutral to Buy.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 28.33% Upside
As of April 28, 2026, the average one-year price target for Lowe's Companies is $290.10/share. The forecasts range from a low of $230.28 to a high of $336.00. The average price target represents an increase of 28.33% from its latest reported closing price of $226.06 / share.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Lowe's Companies is 91,412MM, an increase of 5.94%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 17.20, a decrease of 16.76% from the prior forecast.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 2,722 funds or institutions reporting positions in Lowe's Companies. This is an decrease of 833 owner(s) or 23.43% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to LOW is 0.33%, an increase of 19.95%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 0.33% to 493,655K shares. The put/call ratio of LOW is 1.13, indicating a bearish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
Vanguard Capital Management holds 36,455K shares representing 6.51% ownership of the company.
Jpmorgan Chase holds 36,066K shares representing 6.44% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 37,607K shares , representing a decrease of 4.27%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LOW by 3.56% over the last quarter.
Vanguard Portfolio Management holds 14,257K shares representing 2.55% ownership of the company.
Geode Capital Management holds 13,327K shares representing 2.38% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 12,439K shares , representing an increase of 6.66%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LOW by 0.49% over the last quarter.
Bank Of America holds 9,324K shares representing 1.66% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 9,885K shares , representing a decrease of 6.03%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LOW by 7.57% over the last quarter.
Fintel is one of the most comprehensive investing research platforms available to individual investors, traders, financial advisors, and small hedge funds.
Our data covers the world, and includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data and fund sentiment, options sentiment, insider trading, options flow, unusual options trades, and much more. Additionally, our exclusive stock picks are powered by advanced, backtested quantitative models for improved profits.
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Citigroup Upgrades Lowe's Companies (LOW)

In the latest market close, Lowe's (LOW) reached $262.97, with a -1.87% movement compared to the previous day. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.16%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.37%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.78%.
Heading into today, shares of the home improvement retailer had lost 1.06% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 0.07% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.67% in that time.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Lowe's in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on November 19, 2024. On that day, Lowe's is projected to report earnings of $2.80 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 8.5%. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $19.85 billion, reflecting a 3.03% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $11.91 per share and a revenue of $82.91 billion, signifying shifts of -9.77% and -4.01%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Lowe's. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Currently, Lowe's is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note Lowe's's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 22.49. This expresses a premium compared to the average Forward P/E of 20.23 of its industry.
One should further note that LOW currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.2. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Building Products - Retail industry was having an average PEG ratio of 3.64.
The Building Products - Retail industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 201, putting it in the bottom 21% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 5 Stocks Set to Double. Click to get this free report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

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