Investor’s Update: Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

[BidnessETC] Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) announced plans of entering Manhattan with two new stores, set to open in the second half of 2015.Lowe’s is a large-scale home-improvement retailer that has been around for more than 60 years. It currently operates in the US, Canada, and Mexico, serving home owners, renters, and business customers alike. The company’s policy entails continuously measuring store profitability and closing down unprofitable stores, replacing them with new stores where fit.Stock PerformanceTaking a look at the company’s recent performance, Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) reported Second quarter earnings for fiscal 2014 on August 20^th. The company reported actual earnings per share of $1.04 against the consensus Street estimate of $1.02. This represents year over year growth of 15.38%. Lowe's Companies Inc. posted revenue of $16.60 billion against estimates of $16.57 billion.Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) is currently valued at $55.09 billion and closed the last trading session at $56.06. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $53.11 and a 200-day moving average of $48.77.

Is this a Buying Opportunity?There are currently sixteen analysts that we track that cover the stock. Of those sixteen, ten have a Buy rating, five have a hold rating and one have a sell rating. On a consensus basis this yields a score of 2.56 and a Buy. The combined price objective of these covering analysts is $54.29, which represents a 2.08% upside difference to the last closing price.The most recent analyst activity consisted of Deutsche BankReiterating their buy stance on the company. Deutsche Bank has a price target of $58.00 to $60.00 which represents an upside of 12.46% from the last closing price. On the date of the report, the stock closed at $53.35.Another research firm weighing in recently was Zacks who also reiterated rating on the stock. On September 05^th Zacks upgraded their price target on the stock to $56.00, or a 3.49% upside to the current price. On the day of the report, LOW shares closed at $54.11.Company ProfileLowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) operates as a home improvement retailer. It offers products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, and home decorating. The company provides home improvement products under the categories of kitchens and appliances; lumber and building materials; tools and hardware; fashion fixtures; rough plumbing and electrical; lawn and garden; seasonal living; paint; home fashions, storage, and cleaning; flooring; millwork; and outdoor power equipment. It also offers installation services through independent contractors in various product categories; repair services; and MyLowes, an online tool that manages, maintains, and enhances homes.