LOWE’S ANNOUNCES Q2 EARNINGS RESULTS ARE UP, FALLING JUST SHORT OF ANALYSTS EXPECTATIONS

Lowe’s reported an 8.4% increase in profit for Q2 2015, with net earnings of $1.3 billion and $1.20 a share. This up from last year’s Q2 earnings of $1.04 billion and $1.04 per share. Analysts were expecting results of $1.24 per share.

The home improvement retailer’s net sales rose 4.5%, which was in line with expectations. Same store sales at stores open at least a year were up 4.3%.

“We posted solid results for the quarter and were able to capitalize on big-ticket market share opportunities with strong growth in categories like appliances and outdoor power equipment,” Lowe's CEO Robert Niblock said in a statement.

As of July 31, 2015, Lowe's operated 1,846 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 201.4 million square feet of retail selling space.

For fiscal year 2015, Lowe’s expects to add 15 to 20 new home improvement and hardware stores, and expects total sales to increase 4.5% to 5%.

Sources: USA Today, MarketWatch