Lowe's provides cautious forecasts as customers delay costly home remodels

By Savyata Mishra

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Lowe's Cos ‌forecast full-year sales ​and ​profit below Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, a more cautious projection than larger rival Home Depot amid a stagnant U.S. housing market and guarded consumer spending.

Its shares, ‌which gained on Tuesday after Home Depot kept its annual forecast intact, fell ⁠5% in morning trading.

"This is a pretty unique environment with unpredictable tariffs, high interest rates and a consumer demand ‌that is not as sustained as ‌we would like it on the DIY side," Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison said on a call with analysts.

DIY UNDER PRESSURE

The company's do-it-yourself (DIY) business has been under pressure as households paused ​big-ticket upgrades such as kitchen remodels and flooring installation while awaiting clearer signals on mortgage rates and the broader economy.

In contrast, Home Depot's focus on professional contractors with large, ongoing ⁠jobs has helped it weather the downturn better. The company retained its annual forecast for comparable-sales growth of up to 2% ​and as much as a 4% increase in profit per share.

Still, executives on Tuesday warned that the effects of a frozen housing market are likely ​to persist into 2026.

Lowe's has in recent months bulked ‌up its Pro category through deals.

"Lowe's cautious guidance suggests the road ahead may be uneven," Emarketer analyst Zak Stambor said.

"While Lowe's is gaining share, sharper ⁠acceleration is likely to hinge on a housing rebound and firmer consumer confidence."

Deepening the gloom, off-price retailer TJX underscored the strain on lower-income shoppers with subdued annual forecasts, while shoemaker Steven Madden withheld its 2026 ⁠profit expectation on the latest tariff turmoil.

RENEWED TARIFF JITTERS

Lowe's CEO Ellison said the tariff policy remains fluid and that ​the company, like others, was still reviewing the changes.

The U.S. imposed a new 10% tariff on all non-exempt goods starting Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced a temporary global 10% tariff following a Supreme Court ruling ‌against his earlier duties.

Lowe's forecast 2026 comparable sales to range between flat and up 2%, largely below analysts' average expectation of a 2% rise, ‌according to data compiled by LSEG.

Adjusted earnings per share are projected in the range of $12.25 to $12.75, compared ⁠with expectations of $12.95.

Same-store sales at Lowe's rose ‌1.3% in the fourth quarter - ​the best since the third quarter of 2022 - beating expectations. Its adjusted profit of $1.98 per share surpassed estimates of $1.94.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by ‌Sriraj Kalluvila)

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