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Lowe's Companies Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Comparable sales rose 1.3%: Total sales reached $20.6 billion, compared with $18.6 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 2.6%: Net earnings were $1.0 billion and diluted EPS $1.78, against $1.99. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, adjusted diluted EPS was $1.98. Source
  • Acquisition expenses in the quarter: Pre-tax expenses of $149 million covered transaction costs and intangible asset amortization for the FBM and ADG acquisitions. Source
  • SG&A rose faster than sales: SG&A rose to 21.42% of sales from 20.59%. Operating income was $1.7 billion, or 8.30% of sales, against 9.87%. Source
  • Housing uncertainty built into guidance: Management said fiscal 2026 guidance reflects ongoing uncertainty in the home improvement market. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose: Net cash from operations was $9.9 billion for fiscal 2025, against $9.6 billion a year earlier. Source

“We delivered strong results this quarter, as our Total Home strategy is resonating with both our Pro and DIY customers, which was evident during a great holiday season.”

Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total sales Sourcefiscal 2026$92.0 to $94.0 billionNew
Comparable sales Sourcefiscal 2026flat to up 2%New
Operating margin Sourcefiscal 202611.2% to 11.4%New
Adjusted operating margin Sourcefiscal 202611.6% to 11.8%New
Net interest expense Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $1.6 billionNew
Effective income tax rate Sourcefiscal 2026approximately 24.5%New
Diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $11.75 to $12.25New
Adjusted diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $12.25 to $12.75New
Capital expenditures Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $2.5 billionNew
Intangible amortization excluded from adjusted guidance Sourcefiscal 202640 basis points of operating margin; $0.50 after tax per shareNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal 2026 guidance is introduced in this release, covering sales, comparable sales, margins, EPS, interest, tax rate and capital expenditures. Source
  • New: The FBM acquisition closed in October 2025, according to the prior release. This release cites both FBM and ADG acquisitions in fourth-quarter results.

Results and growth drivers

  • Comparable sales rose 1.3%: Total sales reached $20.6 billion, compared with $18.6 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 2.6%: Net earnings were $1.0 billion and diluted EPS $1.78, against $1.99. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, adjusted diluted EPS was $1.98. Source
  • Full-year sales and earnings: Full-year net sales were $86.3 billion against $83.7 billion. Net earnings were $6.7 billion and diluted EPS $11.85, against $12.23. Source

Acquisitions and integration costs

  • Acquisition expenses in the quarter: Pre-tax expenses of $149 million covered transaction costs and intangible asset amortization for the FBM and ADG acquisitions. Source
  • Goodwill and intangibles expanded: Goodwill rose to $3.9 billion and intangible assets to $5.9 billion, from $311 million and $277 million a year earlier. Source
  • Acquisitions used $10.1 billion cash: Cash paid for acquisitions of businesses, net, was $10.1 billion in the fiscal year. Source

“While the housing macro remains pressured, we are focused on directing what is within our control, which includes our ongoing productivity initiatives.”

Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO

Costs, margins and people

  • Gross margin rate eased: Gross margin was 32.46% of sales against 32.86% a year earlier. Full-year gross margin rose to 33.48% from 33.32%. Source
  • SG&A rose faster than sales: SG&A rose to 21.42% of sales from 20.59%. Operating income was $1.7 billion, or 8.30% of sales, against 9.87%. Source
  • Frontline bonuses awarded: Management said the $125 million of discretionary bonuses reflected outperformance this quarter and customer service. Source

Demand and sales drivers

  • Housing uncertainty built into guidance: Management said fiscal 2026 guidance reflects ongoing uncertainty in the home improvement market. Source
  • Pro, online and home services drove sales: Management named continued growth in Pro, online and home services sales as drivers of the comparable sales increase. Source
  • Prior quarter online and home services: Third-quarter comparable sales rose 0.4%, with online sales up 11.4% and double-digit home services growth.

“We remain confident that we are well-positioned to take share regardless of the macro environment.”

Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Dividends returned to shareholders: Dividends paid in the quarter totaled $673 million. Fiscal 2025 dividends returned $2.6 billion to shareholders. Source
  • Buybacks lower than prior year: Repurchases of common stock were $211 million in fiscal 2025, against $4,053 million in fiscal 2024. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose: Net cash from operations was $9.9 billion for fiscal 2025, against $9.6 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Debt issuance and higher long-term debt: Net proceeds from debt issuance were $7.0 billion, and long-term debt excluding current maturities rose to $37.5 billion from $32.9 billion. Source

Balance sheet and liquidity

  • Cash balance declined: Cash and cash equivalents were $982 million at year end, down from $1,761 million a year earlier. Source
  • Shareholders' deficit narrowed: Shareholders' deficit narrowed to $9.9 billion from $14.2 billion; the accumulated deficit was $10.8 billion. Source
  • Accounts payable rose: Accounts payable was $9.8 billion at year end, up from $9.3 billion a year earlier. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales Sourceup 1.3%
Gross margin Source32.46% of sales
Merchandise inventory Source$17,300 million
Stores operated Source1,759

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management described housing as pressured and cited continued sales focus on items within company control. Source
  • External: Management cited ongoing uncertainty in the home improvement market as affecting the fiscal 2026 guidance basis. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In November the company said it looked forward to enhancing its Pro offering and creating more sustainable, long-term sales and profit expansion.
  • Not stated: Management said the company remains committed to generating sustainable shareholder value through a disciplined capital allocation program. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.