Lowe's Cos. (NYSE: LOW) reported Q1 EPS of $0.70, $0.04 worse than the analyst estimate of $0.74. Revenue for the quarter came in at $14.1 billion versus the consensus estimate of $14.27 billion.

Comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business increased 5.3 percent.

Fiscal Year 2015 (comparisons to fiscal year 2014; based on U.S. GAAP unless otherwise noted)

• Total sales are expected to increase 4.5 to 5 percent.
• Comparable sales are expected to increase 4 to 4.5 percent.
• The company expects to open 15 to 20 home improvement and hardware stores.
• Earnings before interest and taxes as a percentage of sales (operating margin) are expected to increase 80 to 100 basis points.
• The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 38.1%.
• Diluted earnings per share of approximately $3.29 are expected for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2016. (The Street sees EPS of $3.31.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Lowe's Cos. (LOW) click here.