Earnings Analysis: Lowe’s Cos. (NYSE:LOW)

Earnings Analysis: Lowe’s Cos. (NYSE:LOW)Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) recently reported its preliminary financial results based on which we provide a unique peer-based analysis of the company. Our analysis is based on the company’s performance over the last twelve months (unless stated otherwise). For a more detailed analysis of this company (and over 40,000 other global equities) please visit www.capitalcube.com.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) analysis versus peers uses the following peer-set: The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), Kingfisher plc (PINK:KGFHY), Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL), RONA Inc. (TSE:RON), KOMERI CO., LTD. (TYO:8218), Hornbach-Baumarkt-AG (ETR:HBM), DCM Holdings Co., Ltd (TYO:3050) and Bricorama SA (EPA:ALBRI). The table below shows the preliminary results along with the recent trend for revenues, net income and returns.

Quarterly (USD million) 2012-10-31 2012-07-31 2012-04-30 2012-01-31 2011-10-31
Revenues 12,073.0 14,249.0 13,153.0 11,629.0 11,852.0
Revenue Growth % (15.3) 8.3 13.1 (1.9) (18.5)
Net Income 393.0 742.0 524.0 319.0 223.0
Net Income Growth % (47.0) 41.6 64.3 43.0 (72.9)
Net Margin % 3.3 5.2 4.0 2.7 1.9
ROE % (Annualized) 10.8 19.8 13.2 7.7 5.3
ROA % (Annualized) 4.6 8.2 5.9 3.8 2.6

Valuation Drivers

Lowe’s Cos.’s current Price/Book of 2.9 is about median in its peer group. LOW-US achieved a better operating performance than the median of its chosen peers (ROE of 12.7% compared to the peer median ROE of 8.8%) and the market still expects faster growth from it than from those peers (PE of 21.6 compared to peer median of 11.0).

The company’s asset efficiency (asset turns of 1.5x) and net profit margins of 3.9% are both median for its peer group. LOW-US’s net margin is similar to last year’s low of 3.6%, which compares to the 2008 high of 5.8%.

Economic Moat

Changes in the company’s annual top line and earnings (2.9% and -9.3% respectively) generally lag its peers. This implies a lack of strategic focus and/or inability to execute. We view such companies as laggards relative to peers.

LOW-US’s return on assets is above its peer median both in the current period (5.8% vs. peer median 4.2%) and also over the past five years (6.7% vs. peer median 4.4%). This performance suggests that the company’s relatively high operating returns are sustainable.

The company’s gross margin of 34.5% is around peer median suggesting that LOW-US’s operations do not benefit from any differentiating pricing advantage. In addition, LOW-US’s pre-tax margin of 6.2% is also around the peer median suggesting no operating cost advantage relative to peers.

Growth & Investment Strategy

While LOW-US’s revenues growth has been around the peer median in recent years (1.3% vs. 1.3% respectively for the past three years), the market gives its shares a higher than peer median PE ratio of 21.6. The market seems to see faster growth ahead.

LOW-US’s annualized rate of change in capital of 0.06% over the past three years is less than its peer median of 1.6%. This investment has generated a peer median return on capital of 7.7% averaged over the same three years. The median return on capital investment on a relatively lower investment suggests that the company is under investing.

Earnings Quality

LOW-US’s net income margin for the last twelve months is around the peer median (3.9% vs. peer median of 3.3%). This average margin and relatively conservative accrual policy (3.9% vs. peer median of 1.0%) suggests possible understatement of its reported net income.

LOW-US’s accruals over the last twelve months are positive suggesting a buildup of reserves. In addition, the level of accrual is greater than the peer median — which suggests a relatively strong buildup in reserves compared to its peers.

Trend Charts

Graph of Revenues Trend for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)
Graph of Revenues Trend for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)
Graph of Net Margin Trend for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)
Graph of Net Margin Trend for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)
Graph of Accruals Trend (% revenues, Quarterly) for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)
Graph of Accruals Trend (% revenues, Annual or TTM) for Lowe's Cos (NYSE:LOW)

Company Profile

Lowe’s Cos., Inc. is engaged in the retail sale of home improvement products. The company offers a complete line of products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, home decorating and property maintenance. It also offers home improvement products in the following categories: appliances, lumber, paint, millwork, building materials, lawn and landscape products, flooring, rough plumbing, seasonal living, tools, hardware, fashion plumbing, lighting, nursery, outdoor power equipment, cabinets and countertops, home organization, rough electrical and home fashion. The company operates its business through one reportable segment: Home improvement retail stores. The Home improvement retail stores segment sells similar products and services, use similar processes to sell those products and services, and also sell their products and services to similar classes of customers. It was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Mooresville, NC.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this report has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but AnalytixInsight does not make any representation about the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. This report was produced by AnalytixInsight for informational purposes only and nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer to buy or sell or as a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or derivative instrument. This report is current only as of the date that it was published and the opinions, estimates, ratings and other information may change without notice or publication. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Prior to making an investment or other financial decision, please consult with your financial, legal and tax advisors. AnalytixInsight shall not be liable for any party’s use of this report. AnalytixInsight is not a broker-dealer and does not buy, sell, maintain a position, or make a market in any security referred to herein. One of the principal tenets for us at AnalytixInsight is that the best person to handle your finances is you. By your use of our services or by reading any our reports, you’re agreeing that you bear responsibility for your own investment research and investment decisions. You also agree that AnalytixInsight, its directors, its employees, and its agents will not be liable for any investment decision made or action taken by you and others based on news, information, opinion, or any other material generated by us and/or published through our services. For a complete copy of our disclaimer, please visit our website www.analytixinsight.com.

This article was originally written by abha.dawesar, and posted on CapitalCube.