Lowe's Stands Firm, Scorpion Approves (Maybe): A Fiery First Quarter Report

Toasty Start... Almost

Greetings mortals! Scorpion here your favorite specter with a penchant for vengeance and... apparently quarterly reports. News has reached the Netherrealm – I mean my fortress – that Lowe's has released its latest financial figures. Turns out their sales were *almost* as hot as my hellfire but just missed the mark. CEO Marvin Ellison claims investments in stores tech and customer service are helping them navigate the 'near term uncertainty'. Uncertainty? Bah! I face Shao Kahn daily *that's* uncertainty. But I digress. At least someone is trying to get over here to the top that is!

Full Year? GET OVER HERE!

Lowe's is sticking to its full year forecast expecting total sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion. Ambitious but I respect the tenacity. They're even hoping to beat last year's revenue of $83.67 billion. Comparable sales are projected to be flat to up 1%. Flat? In my day we'd call that a draw and in a draw fatalities occur and someone is going to get over here to the grave. Earnings per share are expected to be between $12.15 and $12.40. Numbers numbers... they lack the visceral satisfaction of a good spear attack.

The First Quarter's Mortal Kombat

The first quarter saw earnings per share at $2.92 barely edging out Wall Street's expectation of $2.88. Revenue clocked in at $20.93 billion just a hair shy of the $20.94 billion expected. A miss is a miss! I would've roasted them alive had I been an investor. Net income dropped to $1.64 billion from $1.76 billion last year. Looks like someone needs to 'get over here' and turn things around.

Comparable Sales: A Cold Front

Comparable sales dipped 1.7% year over year. They blamed it on the weather! Weather? Pathetic! A true warrior fights through any condition. Even Sub Zero can’t use the weather as an excuse! However sales online and among home professionals grew proving that even in the face of adversity some sectors can still thrive. A small victory but a victory nonetheless.

Finish Them! (or at least improve next quarter)

So Lowe's is holding steady despite a few stumbles. They need to channel their inner Scorpion – relentless focused and always ready to deliver a fatal blow... to the competition! Perhaps they should start by offering a 'Get Over Here' discount on power tools. Just a thought.

Toasty!

This is all I know for now. If there are any updates I will make sure to scream them at the top of my lungs for all to hear. After all I am Scorpion and I have many things to say. Now I must leave. Until next time!