Lowe’s maintains annual forecasts amid challenging U.S. housing market

The Lowe's logo is displayed on a store in Bedford, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Lowe’s on Wednesday backed its annual forecasts, joining larger rival Home Depot in flagging a challenging U.S. housing market as cautious households push back big-ticket do-it-yourself projects.

The popular 30-year fixed mortgage ​rate rose to 6.46 per cent in early April, as the Iran war pushed up oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields, piling more pressure on the housing market already strained by elevated home prices.

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Lowe’s shares were down about three per cent in premarket trading. They have fallen more than nine per cent so far this year.

The company beat estimates for first-quarter sales, helped by steady demand from professional customers.

Lowe’s has been investing in its professional (Pro) segment serving small-to-medium contractors, carpenters and builders by expanding assortments and offering job-site delivery.

“Strong spring execution and continued momentum in Pro, Appliances, Online, and Home Services supported a solid start to the year ...,” CEO Marvin Ellison said in a statement.

The company expects fiscal 2026 comparable sales of flat to up two per cent and adjusted profit to be in the range of US$12.25 to US$12.75.

The home improvement retailer posted quarterly sales of US$23.08 billion, compared with analysts’ estimates of US$22.97 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

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The company posted quarterly adjusted profit of US$3.03 per share and recognized US$96 million in pre-tax expenses related to the recent acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group (ADG).

Analysts had expected an adjusted profit of US$2.97 per share.

(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)