LOW vs. W: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at LOW and W, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | Wayfair Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Specialty Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 144.11 billion USD | 10.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | October 2, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of LOW and W by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.62% | 1.15% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.69% | 106.83% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.77% | 68.02% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 5.73% | 81.40% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 15.02% | 21.82% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 4.19% | 80.42% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.60M | 4.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.76M | 5.10M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.35% | 54.62% |
| Beta | 0.88 | 3.02 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
LOW
264.53%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 61.19%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 18.81%
- Q1
- 8.92%
- Min
- -13.03%
LOW’s Return on Equity of 264.53% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
W
-659.94%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 61.19%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 18.81%
- Q1
- 8.92%
- Min
- -13.03%
W has a negative Return on Equity of -659.94%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
LOW
8.22%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.28%
- Q3
- 10.68%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.43%
- Min
- -4.54%
LOW’s Net Profit Margin of 8.22% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
W
-2.50%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.28%
- Q3
- 10.68%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.43%
- Min
- -4.54%
W has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.50%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
LOW
12.38%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 15.84%
- Median
- 9.34%
- Q1
- 3.83%
- Min
- -8.97%
LOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.38% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
W
-1.97%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 15.84%
- Median
- 9.34%
- Q1
- 3.83%
- Min
- -8.97%
W has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.97%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 264.53% | -659.94% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 15.37% | -8.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.22% | -2.50% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.38% | -1.97% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.37% | 30.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
1.01
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.83
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
LOW’s Current Ratio of 1.01 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
W
0.82
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.83
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
W’s Current Ratio of 0.82 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
52.23
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 52.23, LOW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialty Retail industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
W
136.90
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 136.90, W operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialty Retail industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
LOW
7.97
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 35.95
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.61
- Min
- -36.00
LOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.97 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
W
-15.62
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 35.95
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.61
- Min
- -36.00
W has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.62. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.19 | 0.67 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 52.23 | 136.90 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.97 | -15.62 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
LOW
1.79%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.53%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW’s Dividend Yield of 1.79% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
W
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.53%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
W currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
LOW
37.67%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 165.81%
- Q3
- 80.94%
- Median
- 31.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 37.67% is within the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
W
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 165.81%
- Q3
- 80.94%
- Median
- 31.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
W has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.79% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 37.67% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
LOW
21.09
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.56
- Q3
- 29.15
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 15.46
- Min
- 7.95
LOW’s P/E Ratio of 21.09 is within the middle range for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
W
--
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.56
- Q3
- 29.15
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 15.46
- Min
- 7.95
P/E Ratio data for W is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
LOW
1.73
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.08
- Q3
- 2.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.09
LOW’s P/S Ratio of 1.73 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
W
0.85
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.08
- Q3
- 2.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.09
W’s P/S Ratio of 0.85 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
316.28
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.98
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.21
At 316.28, LOW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialty Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
W
1,989.32
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.98
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.21
At 1,989.32, W’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialty Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | W |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.09 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.73 | 0.85 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 316.28 | 1,989.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.61 | 30.83 |