Lowe’s (LOW) Q1 2026 sales rise to $23.1B as comps and online grow
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. reported solid first quarter 2026 results, with net sales of $23.1 billion, up from $20.9 billion a year earlier, and net earnings of $1.6 billion. Diluted EPS was $2.90, slightly below $2.92 last year, but adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes $96 million of acquisition-related amortization, rose 3.8% to $3.03.
Comparable sales increased 0.6%, supported by strong spring demand, 15.5% online sales growth, and continued strength in appliances, home services and Pro customers. Operating margin was 11.1%, and adjusted operating margin was 11.5%. Lowe’s operated 1,759 stores totaling 196.0 million square feet and returned $674 million to shareholders through dividends.
For full year 2026, the company affirmed its outlook, targeting total sales of $92.0–$94.0 billion, flat to 2% comparable sales growth, operating margin of 11.2–11.4%, adjusted operating margin of 11.6–11.8%, and diluted EPS of $11.75–$12.25, or $12.25–$12.75 on an adjusted basis.
Positive
- Double-digit sales growth: Q1 2026 net sales were $23.1 billion versus $20.9 billion a year earlier, showing strong revenue expansion despite a challenging housing backdrop.
- Affirmed 2026 outlook: Management maintained guidance for $92.0–94.0 billion in sales, 11.2–11.4% operating margin and $11.75–$12.25 diluted EPS, signaling confidence in the full-year plan.
Negative
- Margin pressure: Gross margin declined 70 basis points and operating margin fell 85 basis points year over year, reflecting higher cost of sales and expenses.
- Lower liquidity and higher debt: Cash and cash equivalents declined to $786 million from $3.054 billion, while long-term debt excluding current maturities increased to $36.751 billion from $30.541 billion.
Insights
Strong top-line growth and steady guidance underpin a constructive update.
Lowe’s delivered Q1 2026 net sales of $23.1B versus $20.9B last year, while net earnings were essentially flat at $1.6B. Reported diluted EPS was $2.90, but adjusted diluted EPS rose to $3.03 after excluding $96M in amortization from recent acquisitions.
Comparable sales grew 0.6%, with 15.5% online growth and continued strength in Pro, appliances, home services and loyalty initiatives, despite what management calls a “challenging housing macro.” Operating margin of 11.1% and adjusted operating margin of 11.5% indicate solid profitability, though gross margin declined by 70 basis points year over year.
The company affirmed full-year 2026 guidance, including total sales of $92–94B, flat to +2% comparable sales, operating margin of 11.2–11.4% and adjusted EPS of $12.25–$12.75. Subsequent filings may provide more detail on integration of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials and how their amortization impacts margins over the remainder of 2026.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 2.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Net sales: $23.1 billion
Net earnings: $1.628 billion
Diluted EPS: $2.90 per share
+5 more
8 metrics
Net sales
$23.1 billion
Three months ended May 1, 2026 vs $20.9 billion in 2025
Net earnings
$1.628 billion
Three months ended May 1, 2026
Diluted EPS
$2.90 per share
Q1 2026, compared to $2.92 in Q1 2025
Adjusted diluted EPS
$3.03 per share
Q1 2026, up 3.8% vs prior-year diluted EPS
Comparable sales growth
0.6%
Q1 2026 company-wide comparable sales
Online sales growth
15.5%
Q1 2026 online sales growth vs prior year
Operating margin
11.07% reported; 11.49% adjusted
Q1 2026 operating profitability
2026 EPS guidance
$11.75–$12.25 EPS; $12.25–$12.75 adjusted EPS
Full year 2026 outlook affirmed
Key Terms
Comparable sales, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, Operating margin, Non-GAAP financial measures, +2 more
6 terms
Comparable sales financial
"Comparable sales for the quarter increased 0.6%, driven by strong spring execution"
"Comparable sales" are the total sales from stores or products that have been open for a certain period, usually the same time last year or last quarter. They help show whether a business is growing by comparing similar locations or products over time, much like checking if your favorite store's sales are going up compared to previous years.
Operating margin financial
"Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) of 11.2% to 11.4%"
Operating margin shows how much profit a company makes from its core business activities after paying for costs like wages and materials. It’s useful because it tells you how efficiently a company is running—higher margins mean it keeps more money from each dollar of sales, which can indicate better management or stronger products.
Non-GAAP financial measures financial
"Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure"
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
Total Home strategy financial
"we remain focused on advancing our Total Home strategy to provide the best experience"
Cash flow hedges financial
"Cash flow hedges – net of tax (3)"
A cash flow hedge is an accounting label companies use when they enter financial contracts—like currency or interest-rate agreements—to protect expected future cash payments or receipts from unpredictable moves. For investors, it signals that the company is trying to smooth out future cash variability (think of locking in a price to avoid surprises), which can reduce reported profit swings but also means the company has exposure to derivative instruments and their associated risks.
Earnings Snapshot
Revenue: $23.1 billion · Guidance included
Q1 2026
Revenue
$23.1 billion
vs $20.9 billion in Q1 2025
Net earnings
$1.628 billion
vs $1.641 billion in Q1 2025
Diluted EPS
$2.90
vs $2.92 in Q1 2025
Adjusted diluted EPS
$3.03
3.8% higher than prior-year diluted EPS
Comparable sales
0.6%
fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps
Operating margin
11.07%
vs 11.92% in Q1 2025
Guidance
For fiscal 2026, Lowe’s expects total sales of $92.0–94.0 billion, comparable sales flat to up 2%, operating margin of 11.2–11.4%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $12.25–$12.75.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 20, 2026
LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | ( | |||||||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
| Emerging growth company | |||||
| ☐ | If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. | ||||
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On May 20, 2026, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release and related infographic, furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference, announcing the Company’s financial results for its first quarter ended May 1, 2026.
The information provided pursuant to Item 2.02, including the exhibits attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits:
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
99.1 | Press Release, dated May 20, 2026, announcing the financial results of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. for its first quarter ended May 1, 2026. | |||||||
99.2 | Infographic relating to the financial results of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. for its first quarter ended May 1, 2026. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC. | ||||||||
Date: May 20, 2026 | By: | /s/ Dan C. Griggs, Jr. | ||||||
| Name: | Dan C. Griggs, Jr. | |||||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Tax and Chief Accounting Officer | |||||||
Exhibit 99.1
May 20, 2026
For 6:00 a.m. ET Release
LOWE’S REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 SALES AND EARNINGS RESULTS
— Diluted EPS of $2.90; Adjusted Diluted EPS1 of $3.03 —
— Comparable Sales increased 0.6% —
— Affirms Full Year 2026 Outlook —
MOORESVILLE, N.C., May 20, 2026 – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today reported net earnings of $1.6 billion and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.90 for the quarter ended May 1, 2026, compared to diluted EPS of $2.92 in the first quarter of 2025. During the first quarter, the company recognized $96 million in pre-tax expenses associated with the acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials (FBM) and Artisan Design Group (ADG). Excluding these expenses, first quarter 2026 adjusted diluted EPS1 increased 3.8% to $3.03 compared to the prior-year diluted EPS.
Total sales for the quarter were $23.1 billion, compared to $20.9 billion in the prior-year quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter increased 0.6%, driven by strong spring execution as well as a 15.5% online sales growth and continued strength in appliances, home services and Pro sales.
“Strong spring execution and continued momentum in Pro, Appliances, Online, and Home Services supported a solid start to the year as we delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive comp sales,” said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “In spite of a challenging housing macro, we remain focused on advancing our Total Home strategy to provide the best experience for our customer. I’d also like to thank our associates for their dedication to serving our customers throughout the busy spring season.”
As of May 1, 2026, Lowe’s operated 1,759 stores, representing 196.0 million square feet of retail selling space.
Capital Allocation
The company remains committed to generating sustainable shareholder value through a disciplined focus on its capital allocation program. During the quarter, the company paid $674 million in dividends.
1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation” section of this release for additional information, as well as reconciliations between the company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.
| Lowe’s Business Outlook | ||
The company is affirming its outlook for fiscal year 2026.
Full Year 2026 Outlook
•Total sales of $92.0 to 94.0 billion or an increase of approximately 7% to 9% compared to prior year
•Comparable sales expected to be flat to up 2% as compared to prior year
•Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) of 11.2% to 11.4%
•Adjusted1 operating income as a percentage of sales (adjusted operating margin) of 11.6% to 11.8%
•Net interest expense of approximately $1.6 billion
•Effective income tax rate of approximately 24.5%
•Diluted earnings per share of approximately $11.75 to $12.25
•Adjusted1 diluted earnings per share of approximately $12.25 to $12.75
•Capital expenditures of up to $2.5 billion
A conference call to discuss first quarter 2026 operating results is scheduled for today, Wednesday, May 20, at 9 a.m. ET. The conference call will be available by webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe’s website at ir.lowes.com and clicking on Lowe’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call Webcast. Supplemental slides will be available prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the call will be archived at ir.lowes.com.
| Lowe’s Companies, Inc. | ||
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company with total fiscal year 2025 sales of more than $86 billion. Lowe's employs approximately 300,000 associates and operates over 1,750 home improvement stores, 540 branches and 120 distribution centers. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing, improving community spaces, helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts and providing disaster relief to communities in need. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation” section of this release for additional information, as well as reconciliations between the company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.
| Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | ||
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “outlook”, “scenario”, “guidance”, and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve, among other things, expectations, projections, and assumptions about future financial and operating results, objectives (including objectives related to environmental and social matters), business outlook, priorities, sales growth, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for products and services including customer acceptance of new offerings and initiatives, macroeconomic conditions and consumer spending, trade policy changes and additional tariffs, share repurchases, and Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as volatility and/or lack of liquidity from time to time in U.S. and world financial markets and the consequent reduced availability and/or higher cost of borrowing to Lowe’s and its customers, slower rates of growth in real disposable personal income that could affect the rate of growth in consumer spending, inflation and its impacts on discretionary spending and on our costs, shortages, and other disruptions in the labor supply, interest rate and currency fluctuations, home price appreciation or decreasing housing turnover, age of housing stock, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, trade policy changes or additional tariffs, outbreaks of pandemics, fluctuations in fuel and energy costs, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, natural disasters, geopolitical or armed conflicts, acts of both domestic and international terrorism, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers.
Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties, risks and potential events including, but not limited to, those described in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as may be updated from time to time in Item 1A in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other subsequent filings with the SEC. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these statements other than as required by law.
LOW-IR
###
| Contacts: | Shareholder/Analyst Inquiries: | Media Inquiries: | |||||||||
| Shelly Hubbard | Steve Salazar | ||||||||||
| 704-775-3856 | steve.j.salazar@lowes.com | ||||||||||
| shelly.hubbard@lowes.com | |||||||||||
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Current Earnings and Accumulated Deficit (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Per Share and Percentage Data
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1, 2026 | May 2, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current Earnings | Amount | % Sales | Amount | % Sales | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 23,078 | 100.00 | $ | 20,930 | 100.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 15,535 | 67.32 | 13,944 | 66.62 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 7,543 | 32.68 | 6,986 | 33.38 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 4,423 | 19.16 | 4,046 | 19.33 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 566 | 2.45 | 446 | 2.13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 2,554 | 11.07 | 2,494 | 11.92 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest – net | 399 | 1.73 | 337 | 1.61 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax earnings | 2,155 | 9.34 | 2,157 | 10.31 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 527 | 2.29 | 516 | 2.47 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 1,628 | 7.05 | $ | 1,641 | 7.84 | |||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic | 559 | 559 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per common share (1) | $ | 2.90 | $ | 2.93 | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted | 560 | 560 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share (1) | $ | 2.90 | $ | 2.92 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends per share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | (10,839) | $ | (14,799) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 1,628 | 1,641 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | (673) | (645) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share repurchases | — | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | (9,884) | $ | (13,833) | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) Under the two-class method, earnings per share is calculated using net earnings allocable to common shares, which is derived by reducing net earnings by the earnings allocable to participating securities. Net earnings allocable to common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation were $1,623 million for the three months ended May 1, 2026, and $1,636 million for the three months ended May 2, 2025.
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Percentage Data
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1, 2026 | May 2, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % Sales | Amount | % Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 1,628 | 7.05 | $ | 1,641 | 7.84 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash flow hedges – net of tax | (3) | (0.01) | (3) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (2) | (0.01) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | (5) | (0.02) | (3) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 1,623 | 7.03 | $ | 1,638 | 7.83 | |||||||||||||||||
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Par Value Data
| May 1, 2026 | May 2, 2025 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 786 | $ | 3,054 | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 458 | 368 | ||||||||||||
| Receivables - net | 1,151 | 96 | ||||||||||||
| Merchandise inventory - net | 18,447 | 18,335 | ||||||||||||
| Other current assets | 1,320 | 822 | ||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 22,162 | 22,675 | ||||||||||||
| Property, less accumulated depreciation | 18,254 | 17,636 | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 4,182 | 3,799 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term investments | 247 | 300 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes - net | — | 118 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 3,945 | 311 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible assets - net | 5,807 | 274 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 344 | 259 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 54,941 | $ | 45,372 | ||||||||||
| Liabilities and shareholders' deficit | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | $ | 380 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 810 | 4,183 | ||||||||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 662 | 562 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 11,975 | 11,235 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation and employee benefits | 972 | 853 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 1,629 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 3,846 | 4,055 | ||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 20,274 | 22,388 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | 36,751 | 30,541 | ||||||||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 3,937 | 3,669 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes - net | 1,239 | — | ||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue - Lowe's protection plans | 1,248 | 1,266 | ||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 762 | 762 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 64,211 | 58,626 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders' deficit: | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, $5 par value: Authorized - 5.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - none | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.50 par value: Authorized - 5.6 billion shares; Issued and outstanding - 561 million and 560 million, respectively | 280 | 280 | ||||||||||||
| Capital in excess of par value | 68 | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (9,884) | (13,833) | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 266 | 286 | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' deficit | (9,270) | (13,254) | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit | $ | 54,941 | $ | 45,372 | ||||||||||
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
In Millions
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| May 1, 2026 | May 2, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 1,628 | $ | 1,641 | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 644 | 507 | |||||||||
| Noncash lease expense | 169 | 131 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 203 | 126 | |||||||||
| Loss on property and other assets - net | 4 | 20 | |||||||||
| Share-based payment expense | 65 | 58 | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (63) | (3) | |||||||||
| Merchandise inventory – net | (1,145) | (926) | |||||||||
| Other operating assets | (125) | (103) | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | 2,212 | 1,945 | |||||||||
| Other operating liabilities | (242) | (17) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,350 | 3,379 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases of investments | (337) | (391) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale/maturity of investments | 319 | 375 | |||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (521) | (518) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and other long-term assets | 6 | 2 | |||||||||
| Other – net | 32 | (1) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (501) | (533) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Net change in commercial paper | 378 | — | |||||||||
| Repayment of debt | (2,376) | (778) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based payment plans | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Cash dividend payments | (674) | (645) | |||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | (363) | (112) | |||||||||
| Other – net | (12) | (20) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (3,045) | (1,553) | |||||||||
| Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (196) | 1,293 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 982 | 1,761 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 786 | $ | 3,054 | |||||||
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation (Unaudited)
To provide additional transparency, the Company has presented the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three months ended May 1, 2026. This measure excludes the impact of a certain item, further described below, to assist analysts and investors in understanding operational performance for the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Fiscal 2026 Impacts
During fiscal 2026, the Company recognized financial impacts from the following:
•In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the Company recognized pre-tax expenses of $96 million consisting of intangible asset amortization related to the acquisitions of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials (Acquisition of businesses).
In addition, the Company has presented full year fiscal 2026 guidance of the non-GAAP financial measures adjusted operating
margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which exclude the impact of intangible asset amortization, and related tax
effects if applicable, related to the acquisitions of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials. When evaluated
with our GAAP results, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors with meaningful measures of comparable
performance.
Adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share should not be considered an alternative to, or more
meaningful indicator of, the Company’s operating margin or diluted earnings per share as prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The Company’s methods of determining non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the method used by other companies
and may not be comparable.
A reconciliation between the Company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results is shown below and available on the Company’s website at ir.lowes.com.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| May 1, 2026 | |||||||||||
| Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share | Pre-Tax Earnings | Tax 1 | Net Earnings | ||||||||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share, As Reported | $ | 2.90 | |||||||||
| Acquisition of businesses | 0.17 | (0.04) | 0.13 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share | $ | 3.03 | |||||||||
1 Represents the corresponding tax benefit or expense specifically related to the item excluded from adjusted diluted earnings per share.
Our adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2026 excludes an expected 40 basis
point and $0.50 after tax impact, respectively, from intangible asset amortization.
1. Adjusted Operating Margin, and Adjusted Diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to ir.lowes.com for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures. GROSS MARGIN -70 basis points vs. LY -1.4% +2.1% +0.5% -5.4% +1.7% -2.6% 2026 2025 Marvin R. Ellison, Chairman & CEO “Strong spring execution and continued momentum in Pro, Appliances, Online and Home Services supported a solid start to the year as we delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps. In spite of a challenging housing macro, we remain focused on advancing our Total Home Strategy.” Comparable Sales Summary COMP TRANSACTIONS COMP $107.59 AVERAGE TICKET ONLINE SALES GROWTH -0.9% +1.5% +15.5% -0.1% -0.1% +2.1%>$500 $100-$500 <$100 Monthly Comp Sales Performance Comp Sales by Ticket Size FEB We returned $674 MILLION to our shareholders through dividends Financial Highlights $2.90 DILUTED EPS -0.7% vs. LY 11.1% OPERATING MARGIN -85 basis points vs. LY $3.03 ADJ. DILUTED EPS1 +3.8% vs. LY DILUTED EPS 11.5% ADJ. OPERATING MARGIN1 -43 basis points vs. LY OPERATING MARGIN MARCH APR Total Home Strategy Updates Product Category Performance Positive Comp Sales in 9 of 13 product categories 11 of 15 Regions Delivered positive comp sales growth 32.7% +0.6% COMP SALES Q1 2026 RESULTS AI-powered in-store tool Mylow reached 5 million associate questions milestone Enhanced loyalty value offering with free same-day delivery on purchases over $25 Positive Pro comp sales supported by continued progress enhancing ease of shopping experience Announced $250M investment to train & develop 250,000 tradespeople Recognized as a 5-star Employer for the 3rd Consecutive Year LAWN & GARDEN TOOLS & HARDWARE MILLWORK APPLIANCES ELECTRICAL POWER EQUIPMENT PAINT ROUGH PLUMBING SEASONAL & CLEANING Exhibit 99.2
Drive Pro penetration Accelerate online sales Expand home services Create a loyalty ecosystem Increase space productivity Total Home Strategy Solving problems and fulfilling dreams for the home
Q1 2026 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures Management of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the Company) uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the Company's financial and operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful indicators of, the Company's financial measures as prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company's methods of determining these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methods used by other companies and may not be comparable. The Company has provided the following non-GAAP financial measures to assist the user in comparing its operating performance for the three months ended May 1, 2026: adjusted operating margin, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These measures exclude the impact of a certain item, further described below. Fiscal 2026 Impacts During fiscal 2026, the Company recognized financial impacts from the following: • In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the Company recognized pre-tax expenses of $96 million consisting of intangible asset amortization related to the acquisitions of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials (Acquisition of businesses). The following provides a reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures: Three Months Ended Adjusted Operating Income (in millions, except percentage data) May 1, 2026 Operating Income, As Reported $ 2,554 Acquisition of businesses 96 Adjusted Operating Income $ 2,650 Operating Margin, % of Sales 11.07 % Adjusted Operating Margin, % of Sales 11.49 % Three Months Ended May 1, 2026 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Pre-Tax Earnings Tax 1 Net Earnings Diluted Earnings Per Share, As Reported $ 2.90 Acquisition of businesses 0.17 (0.04) 0.13 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 3.03 1 Represents the corresponding tax benefit or expense specifically related to the item excluded from adjusted diluted earnings per share.
Forward-Looking Statements This presentation includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “outlook”, “scenario”, “guidance”, and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve, among other things, expectations, projections, and assumptions about future financial and operating results, objectives (including objectives related to environmental and social matters), business outlook, priorities, sales growth, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for products and services including customer acceptance of new offerings and initiatives, macroeconomic conditions and consumer spending, trade policy changes and additional tariffs, share repurchases, and Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as volatility and/or lack of liquidity from time to time in U.S. and world financial markets and the consequent reduced availability and/or higher cost of borrowing to Lowe’s and its customers, slower rates of growth in real disposable personal income that could affect the rate of growth in consumer spending, inflation and its impacts on discretionary spending and on our costs, shortages, and other disruptions in the labor supply, interest rate and currency fluctuations, home price appreciation or decreasing housing turnover, age of housing stock, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, trade policy changes or additional tariffs, outbreaks of pandemics, fluctuations in fuel and energy costs, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, natural disasters, geopolitical or armed conflicts, acts of both domestic and international terrorism, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties, risks and potential events including, but not limited to, those described in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” and “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as may be updated from time to time in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other subsequent filings with the SEC. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these statements other than as required by law.
FAQ
How did Lowe’s (LOW) perform financially in Q1 2026?
Lowe’s reported net earnings of $1.6 billion on net sales of $23.1 billion in Q1 2026. Diluted EPS was $2.90, while adjusted diluted EPS rose to $3.03, reflecting acquisition-related amortization adjustments.
What were Lowe’s Q1 2026 comparable sales and online growth?
Lowe’s Q1 2026 comparable sales increased 0.6%, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps. Online sales grew 15.5%, supported by strong performance in Pro, appliances, home services and digital initiatives.
What guidance did Lowe’s provide for full year 2026?
For 2026, Lowe’s expects total sales of $92.0–94.0 billion, comparable sales from flat to +2%, operating margin of 11.2–11.4%, and diluted EPS of $11.75–$12.25. Adjusted diluted EPS is projected at $12.25–$12.75.
How did Lowe’s profit margins trend in Q1 2026 versus 2025?
In Q1 2026, Lowe’s gross margin was 32.68% versus 33.38% a year earlier, a 70-basis-point decline. Operating margin was 11.07%, down from 11.92%, reflecting higher cost of sales and increased depreciation and amortization.
What is Lowe’s adjusted diluted EPS and how is it calculated?
Q1 2026 adjusted diluted EPS was $3.03, compared with reported diluted EPS of $2.90. It excludes $96 million of pre-tax intangible amortization from the acquisitions of Artisan Design Group and Foundation Building Materials and related tax effects.
What was Lowe’s cash flow from operations in Q1 2026?
Net cash provided by operating activities in Q1 2026 was $3.35 billion. This reflected strong earnings, higher depreciation and amortization, and a sizable increase in accounts payable, partially offset by higher merchandise inventory and other operating asset outflows.