Debt to Equity
since 2005
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Lowe’s Cos. Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Income Statement
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
- Analysis of Long-term (Investment) Activity Ratios
- Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA)
- Present Value of Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)
- Total Asset Turnover since 2005
- Analysis of Revenues
- Analysis of Debt
- Aggregate Accruals
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Calculation
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, calculation
| Debt to equity | = | Total debt1 | ÷ | Shareholders’ equity (deficit)1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2025 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2024 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2023 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2022 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2021 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2020 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2019 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2018 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2017 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2016 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 30, 2015 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2014 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2013 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2012 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2011 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2010 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 30, 2009 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2008 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2007 | = | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2006 | = | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2005 | = | ÷ |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-28).
1 US$ in millions
The relationship between total debt and shareholders’ equity exhibited a significant shift over the period examined. Initially, the debt-to-equity ratio demonstrated relative stability, followed by a marked increase, culminating in negative equity in later years.
- Initial Period (2005-2007)
- From 2005 to 2007, the debt-to-equity ratio fluctuated between 0.25 and 0.32. Total debt remained relatively stable, while shareholders’ equity increased, contributing to the initial decrease and subsequent stabilization of the ratio. This suggests a conservative capital structure during this timeframe.
- Increasing Leverage (2008-2011)
- Between 2008 and 2011, the debt-to-equity ratio increased from 0.41 to 0.36, with a peak at 0.46 in 2012. This rise was driven by a substantial increase in total debt, while shareholders’ equity experienced more moderate fluctuations. The increase indicates a growing reliance on debt financing.
- Significant Increase in Leverage (2012-2016)
- From 2012 through 2016, the debt-to-equity ratio experienced a rapid and substantial increase, moving from 0.46 to 2.44. This was primarily due to continued growth in total debt, coupled with a consistent decline in shareholders’ equity. The ratio exceeding 1.0 indicates that debt financing surpassed equity financing.
- High Leverage and Negative Equity (2017-2025)
- The period from 2017 to 2025 witnessed an acceleration of the trend, with the debt-to-equity ratio escalating to 4.45 by 2019 and reaching 9.79 in 2020. Critically, shareholders’ equity became negative in 2021 and remained so through 2025, resulting in an undefined debt-to-equity ratio. The continued increase in debt alongside diminishing and ultimately negative equity signals a severely strained financial position. The absence of a ratio value after 2020 reflects the mathematical impossibility of calculating it with a negative denominator.
In summary, the company transitioned from a relatively conservative capital structure to one characterized by high leverage and, ultimately, negative shareholders’ equity. The increasing debt-to-equity ratio indicates a growing financial risk profile over the analyzed period.
Comparison to Competitors
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Lowe’s Cos. Inc. | Amazon.com Inc. | Home Depot Inc. | TJX Cos. Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | ||||
| Jan 31, 2025 | ||||
| Feb 2, 2024 | ||||
| Feb 3, 2023 | ||||
| Jan 28, 2022 | ||||
| Jan 29, 2021 | ||||
| Jan 31, 2020 | ||||
| Feb 1, 2019 | ||||
| Feb 2, 2018 | ||||
| Feb 3, 2017 | ||||
| Jan 29, 2016 | ||||
| Jan 30, 2015 | ||||
| Jan 31, 2014 | ||||
| Feb 1, 2013 | ||||
| Feb 3, 2012 | ||||
| Jan 28, 2011 | ||||
| Jan 29, 2010 | ||||
| Jan 30, 2009 | ||||
| Feb 1, 2008 | ||||
| Feb 2, 2007 | ||||
| Feb 3, 2006 | ||||
| Jan 28, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-28).
Comparison to Sector (Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail)
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to sector (consumer discretionary distribution & retail)
| Lowe’s Cos. Inc. | Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | ||
| Jan 31, 2025 | ||
| Feb 2, 2024 | ||
| Feb 3, 2023 | ||
| Jan 28, 2022 | ||
| Jan 29, 2021 | ||
| Jan 31, 2020 | ||
| Feb 1, 2019 | ||
| Feb 2, 2018 | ||
| Feb 3, 2017 | ||
| Jan 29, 2016 | ||
| Jan 30, 2015 | ||
| Jan 31, 2014 | ||
| Feb 1, 2013 | ||
| Feb 3, 2012 | ||
| Jan 28, 2011 | ||
| Jan 29, 2010 | ||
| Jan 30, 2009 | ||
| Feb 1, 2008 | ||
| Feb 2, 2007 | ||
| Feb 3, 2006 | ||
| Jan 28, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-28).
Comparison to Industry (Consumer Discretionary)
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to industry (consumer discretionary)
| Lowe’s Cos. Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | ||
| Jan 31, 2025 | ||
| Feb 2, 2024 | ||
| Feb 3, 2023 | ||
| Jan 28, 2022 | ||
| Jan 29, 2021 | ||
| Jan 31, 2020 | ||
| Feb 1, 2019 | ||
| Feb 2, 2018 | ||
| Feb 3, 2017 | ||
| Jan 29, 2016 | ||
| Jan 30, 2015 | ||
| Jan 31, 2014 | ||
| Feb 1, 2013 | ||
| Feb 3, 2012 | ||
| Jan 28, 2011 | ||
| Jan 29, 2010 | ||
| Jan 30, 2009 | ||
| Feb 1, 2008 | ||
| Feb 2, 2007 | ||
| Feb 3, 2006 | ||
| Jan 28, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-02-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-02-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-02-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-28).