** Home improvement retailer Lowe's LOW.N beat Q3 profit estimates and signaled a solid Q4 start but like peer Home Depot HD.N expects muted annual earnings and sales as Americans delay big home improvement projects

** Median PT of 36 brokerages covering the stock is $280 - data compiled by LSEG

MARGINS UNDER MAKEOVER

** Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $294) expects comparable sales to improve in early 2026 as demand normalizes, with the FBM acquisition strengthening LOW’s professional customer reach, supporting EPS growth next year

** Bernstein ("outperform," PT: $284) sees near-term margin pressure from professional contractors segment acquisitions - Artisan design group and Foundation building materials - and limited visibility on demand recovery; prefers LOW over Home Depot over the next 12–18 months on valuation and cost-savings upside

** Truist Securities ("buy," PT: $256) says as rates ease and housing ages, demand should build, with seasonality, tax refunds, and post-shutdown normalization likely to lift results and sentiment near-term even if a full inflection takes longer

** Morningstar (fair value: $250) says specialty distribution will weigh on margin expansion through the forecast period, but expanding product line should offset pressure and support steady sales growth

(Reporting by Kanishka Ajmera in Bengaluru)

((Kanishka.Ajmera@thomsonreuters.com))