Lowe’s (LOW) 2Q18 Results: Strong Quarter, Lowers Guidance After Orchard Supply Exit

Executive Summary

• Lowe’s reported 2Q18 adjusted EPS of $2.07, up from $1.57 from the year-ago quarter and ahead of the $2.02 consensus estimate. Net sales were $20.89 billion, up 7.1% year over year and beating the $20.77 billion consensus estimate.
• Comps increased by 5.2%, driven by a 4.5% increase in average ticket, 0.6% increase in total transitions and positive in-store and online traffic numbers. Comp sales for the US were up 5.3%.
• Lowe’s lowered its full-year guidance, citing the negative impact of closing 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores and reducing lower-performing inventory. The company now expects EPS of $4.50–$4.60, with comps increasing 3.0%, from EPS of $5.40–$5.50 and comps increasing 3.5% previously.