Return on Equity (ROE)
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., ROE, long-term trends, calculation
| ROE | = | 100 | × | Net earnings1 | ÷ | Shareholders’ equity (deficit)1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2025 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2024 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2023 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2022 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2021 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2020 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2019 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2018 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2017 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2016 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 30, 2015 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 31, 2014 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2013 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2012 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2011 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 29, 2010 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 30, 2009 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 1, 2008 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 2, 2007 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Feb 3, 2006 | = | 100 | × | ÷ | |||
| Jan 28, 2005 | = | 100 | × | ÷ |
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 return on equity (ROE) exhibited a generally increasing trend from 2005 through 2016, followed by significant volatility and ultimately, a period where the metric became undefined due to negative shareholders’ equity. Net earnings generally increased over the period examined, but were offset by substantial declines in shareholders’ equity in later years.
- Initial Growth (2005-2016)
- From 2005 to 2016, ROE demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, increasing from 18.86% to 58.69%. This growth was driven by a combination of increasing net earnings and, initially, increasing shareholders’ equity. The rate of increase accelerated notably after 2014, with ROE more than doubling from 27.07% in 2015 to 58.69% in 2016. Net earnings also showed strong growth during this period.
- Significant Volatility and Negative Equity (2017-2026)
- Beginning in 2017, the trend reversed dramatically. While net earnings remained positive, shareholders’ equity began a steep decline. By 2019, shareholders’ equity had fallen to 1,972 US$ million, and continued to decrease substantially in subsequent years. This resulted in negative shareholders’ equity from 2020 onwards, reaching -15,050 US$ million by 2022. Consequently, ROE became undefined, as the calculation requires division by shareholders’ equity. The substantial increase in ROE in 2019 and 2020, reaching 217.09% and 406.05% respectively, occurred during the initial stages of the equity decline and should be interpreted with caution given the diminishing equity base.
- Net Earnings Trend
- Net earnings generally increased from 2005 to 2016, peaking at 3,447 US$ million in 2018. Following 2018, net earnings experienced fluctuations, decreasing to 2,314 US$ million in 2019 before increasing significantly to 5,835 US$ million in 2021 and 8,442 US$ million in 2022. Despite these increases, the declining shareholders’ equity ultimately overshadowed the positive earnings trend, leading to the negative equity position and undefined ROE.
- Shareholders’ Equity Trend
- Shareholders’ equity increased steadily from 2005 to 2010, reaching 19,069 US$ million. It then experienced a period of fluctuation and decline, falling to 5,873 US$ million by 2016. The most significant decline occurred between 2017 and 2022, resulting in a substantial deficit. The continued negative equity position through 2026 indicates a fundamental shift in the company’s financial structure.
Comparison to Competitors
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., ROE, 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., ROE, 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., ROE, 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).