Lowe’s Companies, Inc. LOW reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results, with the top and bottom lines surpassing the Zack Consensus Estimate. While net sales declined marginally year over year, earnings improved from the year-ago period. The Mooresville, NC-based company posted comparable sales growth, ending its streak of declines.

LOW’s Quarterly Performance: Key Metrics and Insights

The home improvement retailer posted adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.93 per share, which came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.83. The figure marked an improvement from earnings of $1.77 reported in the same period last year.

Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Net sales of $18,553 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18,346 million but declined 0.3% year over year. 

Comparable sales for the quarter increased 0.2%, showing an improvement from the 1.1% decline recorded in the third quarter. This improvement stems from high-single-digit growth in Pro and online comparable sales, strong holiday performance and post-hurricane rebuilding efforts, partly offset by continued softness in do-it-yourself discretionary spending. This performance outpaced our estimate of a 2.1% decline in comparable sales.

The gross profit increased 1.2% year over year to $6,097 million, while the gross margin expanded 50 basis points to 32.9%. We had expected a gross margin expansion of 30 basis points.

The operating income increased 8.5% to $1,830 million, while the operating margin expanded 80 basis points to 9.9%. We had envisioned a 30-basis point increase in the operating margin.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Lowe's Companies, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Lowe's Companies, Inc. Quote

LOW’s Financial Health Snapshot

This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,761 million, long-term debt (excluding current maturities) of $32,901 million and shareholders’ deficit of $14,231 million.

For fiscal 2024, Lowe’s generated cash flow from operations of $9,625 million. During the quarter, the company executed a buyback of around 5.5 million shares, amounting to $1.4 billion.

A Sneak Peek Into LOW’s FY25 Outlook

Lowe’s fiscal 2025 guidance highlights continued near-term uncertainty in the home improvement market. Management anticipates total sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion compared with $83.7 billion reported in fiscal 2024. Comparable sales are expected to be flat to up 1%. The adjusted operating margin is projected between 12.3% and 12.4%. 

Lowe’s foresees adjusted earnings per share in the band of $12.15-$12.40. It anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 billion for fiscal 2025.

Lowe’s Stock Price Performance

Shares of Lowe’s have risen 1.3% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 3.2%.

Don’t Miss These Solid Bets

Sprouts Farmers SFM, which is engaged in the retailing of fresh, natural and organic food products, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). SFM has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.1%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sprouts Farmers’ current financial-year sales and earnings implies growth of 12% and 18.9%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.

Costco COST, a membership warehouse club, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). COST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2%, on average. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings implies growth of 7.4% and 11.9%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.

Ross Stores ROST, which operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. ROST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.5%, on average. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ross Stores’ current financial-year sales and earnings suggest growth of 3.7% and 11.2%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.

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

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research