Lowe's (LOW) Beats Q4 Views Amid Thinning Margins; Offers Solid FY12 Outlook

Lowe's Co.'s (NYSE: LOW) shares are moving higher early Monday morning following strong fourth-quarter numbers from the home and garden supply behemoth.

Revenue grew 11 percent from $10.48 billion in the same period last year to $11.63 billion,. Net earnings rose 13 percent to $322 million, or 26 cents per share. Adjusting for one-time items and EPS moved to 29 cents.

The Street was expecting revs of $11.34 billion and EPS of 24 cents.

Comps improved 3.4 percent in the quarter. Gross margin moved from 35.55 percent last year to 34.22 percent in the recent quarter.

"We delivered solid results for the quarter, including earnings per share that exceeded our guidance,' commented CEO Robert Niblock. "In 2012, we will capitalize on refinements we have made to our operating strategies as well as our efforts to improve the customer experience."

Looking ahead, Lowe's sees fiscal 2012 EPS of of $1.75 to $1.85, versus the consensus of $1.79. Total sales are expected to improve 1 percent to 2 percent, or 3 percent on a comparable basis.

Shares are about 1.3 percent better early.

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