Dec. 24, 2025 — After-hours update (Christmas Eve session)
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) ended the holiday-shortened Christmas Eve trading session modestly higher, then dipped slightly in thin after-hours trading—exactly the kind of “small move, big context” setup investors often see heading into the year-end stretch.
Because U.S. markets are closed on Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025), the next full regular session is Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. [1]
Below is a detailed look at LOW’s after-the-bell action today (24.12.2025), the most relevant news and analysis published today, the latest forecast and analyst target landscape, and the key items to keep on your radar before trading resumes.
Lowe’s stock price after the bell: the numbers that matter
Regular session close (early close on Christmas Eve)
Lowe’s stock finished the regular session at $243.00 on Dec. 24, 2025, with the NYSE closing early at 1:00 p.m. ET for Christmas Eve. [2]
From today’s tape:
- Open: $241.75
- High: $243.98
- Low: $241.34
- Close: $243.00 (+0.35%)
- Volume:766,429 shares [3]
That volume was light—consistent with the broader market’s holiday-shortened, low-participation session. Reuters reported overall U.S. exchange volume of 7.61 billion shares vs. a 20-day average of 16.21 billion. [4]
After-hours (post-market) trading snapshot
After the close, LOW eased modestly. As of the last widely reported prints this afternoon:
- After-hours price:$242.53
- After-hours change vs. close:-$0.47 (-0.19%)
- After-hours range reported: $242.53 to $242.53 (a flat, thin range) [5]
Important context: on holiday-adjacent sessions, after-hours trading can be especially illiquid, meaning small trades can move quotes more than usual. The move itself is not dramatic—but it’s the “why” behind any post-market shift that matters heading into the next open.
The market backdrop today: why a “small” LOW move still matters
Even if Lowe’s didn’t swing wildly today, the environment did something meaningful: U.S. equities closed higher, and the Dow and S&P 500 notched record closing highs in the first day of the seasonal “Santa Claus rally” window, according to Reuters. [6]
Two market themes from today’s reporting that are especially relevant for Lowe’s:
- Rate-cut expectations remain in play.
Reuters noted the market is still pricing in roughly 50 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts next year, though expectations for a January cut are low. [7]
Lower (or even steadily lower-trending) rates tend to be supportive for housing-related demand and large-ticket renovation decisions—core drivers for big home-improvement retailers. - Treasury yields and mortgage rates are still the “real economy” lever.
Investopedia flagged the 10-year Treasury yield around 4.16% in today’s premarket context—one of the inputs that can influence mortgage rates and consumer borrowing costs. [8]
For Lowe’s investors, the takeaway is straightforward: LOW often trades as a “rates + housing + consumer confidence” story just as much as it trades on company-specific headlines.
Today’s Lowe’s headlines and analysis: what was published on Dec. 24, 2025
While there was no major Lowe’s earnings release or corporate bombshell today, there was a notable uptick in investor attention and forecast-related commentary.
1) Lowe’s was flagged as a “trending” stock (Zacks / syndicated)
A Zacks Equity Research piece (syndicated via Finviz) highlighted that Lowe’s has been one of the more searched names recently—and focused on estimate trends that can influence near-term sentiment. [9]
Key points from that analysis published today (Dec. 24):
- Over the past month, LOW shares returned +1.7%, versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s +4.7%; Lowe’s industry group gained 1.4%. [10]
- Earnings estimate revisions (near-term):
- Expected current-quarter EPS:$1.95 (about +1% YoY)
- Zacks consensus for that quarter moved -1.8% over the past 30 days [11]
- Full-year and next-year EPS expectations (Zacks consensus):
- Current fiscal year EPS estimate: $12.26 (+2.2% YoY), down 0.1% over 30 days
- Next fiscal year EPS estimate: $13.01 (+6.2%), down 0.4% over the past month [12]
- Revenue outlook (Zacks consensus):
- Current quarter sales estimate: $20.35B (+9.7% YoY)
- Current fiscal year: $86.06B (+2.8%)
- Next fiscal year: $93.51B (+8.7%) [13]
Why this matters heading into the next session: the market often reacts not just to results, but to the direction of estimates—and today’s note emphasizes that recent revisions have tilted slightly downward.
2) Lowe’s also appeared in a “stocks to watch” screen for the home improvement group
MarketBeat published a Christmas Eve list of home-improvement names “worth watching,” which included Lowe’s alongside peers like Home Depot and Masco. [14]
This kind of screening content doesn’t move markets by itself, but it reflects where investor attention is clustering during a low-news, low-volume window.
3) No new Lowe’s IR press releases dated today
Lowe’s Investor Relations “Press Releases” listing shows the most recent IR releases dated in November 2025 (for example: the Q3 results and dividend declaration), with no new IR press release dated Dec. 24. [15]
4) No obvious new “material event” filing surfaced today
The SEC’s EDGAR company browse page does not show a new 8-K posted today in its “selected filings” view (i.e., no fresh current report jumped out in that snapshot). [16]
(As always, investors should treat SEC filings as the definitive source of material disclosures—but in a quiet session like this, the absence of a new filing is itself a useful “nothing blew up after hours” signal.)
Analyst forecasts: where Wall Street thinks LOW goes from here
Forecasts vary by source, but the big picture is consistent: a lot of “Hold/Buy” leaning ratings, and a wide price target band (which tells you conviction is mixed).
MarketBeat: average target $276.80
MarketBeat’s consensus shows:
- Average 12-month price target:$276.80
- High target: $316.00
- Low target: $242.00 [17]
With LOW around the low-$240s, that implies a mid-teens upside in the consensus math—but that’s a forecast, not a promise.
Investing.com: “Buy” consensus; average target around $273.22
Investing.com’s consensus data (from 32 analysts) shows:
- Consensus rating: “Buy” (with buys, holds, and a small number of sells)
- Average target:$273.21875
- High target: $316
- Low target: $219 [18]
What to take from the differences:
The top end is similar across sources (around $316), but the low end differs—meaning some analysts see downside risk if housing/DIY demand stays sluggish or if macro conditions tighten again.
What to know before the next market open
1) “Tomorrow” is Christmas Day—markets are closed
The NYSE lists Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2025) as a market holiday, and it also confirms the early close at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. [19]
Reuters additionally noted markets would remain shut Thursday for Christmas. [20]
2) The next full session is Friday, Dec. 26
Despite federal office closures around the holiday period, Reuters reported that major U.S. exchanges are sticking with the schedule: early close Dec. 24 and a full trading day on Dec. 26. [21]
3) The U.S. economic calendar for Dec. 26 looks quiet
MarketWatch’s economic calendar listing indicates:
- Thursday, Dec. 25: none scheduled (holiday)
- Friday, Dec. 26:none scheduled [22]
That matters because in “no-data” sessions, individual stocks can drift with:
- interest rate moves,
- commodity swings,
- headline risk (tariffs, policy, geopolitics),
- and simple year-end positioning.
4) Seasonality: Dec. 26 has a bullish historical reputation—but don’t overtrade it
MarketWatch cited Bespoke Investment Group research showing Dec. 26 has historically been one of the most consistently positive days for the S&P 500, though it also cautioned investors not to rely solely on seasonal patterns. [23]
For LOW specifically, if the tape is strong and liquidity remains light, “beta” names tied to housing sentiment can lift with the index—even without new Lowe’s news.
The Lowe’s setup into 2026: housing, rates, and remodeling demand
If you’re looking past the next session and trying to understand the bigger forces that can move Lowe’s stock, the 2026 housing outlook is increasingly part of the narrative.
Mortgage rates are easing vs. early 2025 levels—but still restrictive
Kiplinger reported that after starting around 7% at the beginning of 2025, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate now averages around 6.2%—still high enough to keep many buyers “rate-locked,” but low enough to slowly improve affordability at the margins. [24]
Zillow expects modest home value growth and slightly higher sales in 2026
Zillow’s economists forecast:
- U.S. home values up ~1.2% in 2026
- Mortgage rates “unlikely to fall below 6% in 2026”
- Existing home sales rising to 4.26 million (about +4.3%) [25]
Why this matters for Lowe’s:
A “stuck housing market” often shifts spending from moving to improving—especially for homeowners sitting on low-rate mortgages. If affordability and inventory improve even modestly, it can also revive big-ticket projects over time.
Consumer mood is a near-term swing factor
AP reported U.S. consumer confidence fell in December to its lowest level since April, with inflation and tariffs among cited concerns. [26]
For Lowe’s, softer confidence can translate into delayed discretionary remodels, even if smaller repair and maintenance spending holds up.
Key Lowe’s catalysts on the calendar
Even though today’s session was quiet, LOW has several concrete dates and company-specific items investors commonly track.
Next earnings: late February (estimated)
Lowe’s Investor Relations “Events & Presentations” page lists Feb. 25, 2026 as the estimated date for the Q4 2025 earnings conference call. [27]
Zacks’ earnings calendar also points to an expected Feb. 25, 2026 timing. [28]
Dividend: $1.20 quarterly cash dividend payable Feb. 4, 2026
Lowe’s declared a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, payable Feb. 4, 2026, to shareholders of record Jan. 21, 2026. [29]
At a ~$243 share price, that’s an annualized dividend run-rate of $4.80, which is roughly a ~2% yield (simple math, not a quote)—a factor that can matter for income-focused holders during volatile macro periods.
Operations and growth narrative
Lowe’s corporate newsroom highlighted its 2025 footprint activity, citing eight new or reopened stores and more than 800 associates hired tied to openings. [30]
What investors should watch specifically for LOW on Dec. 26
Heading into Friday’s reopen, here are the most practical, Lowe’s-relevant “watch items” based on today’s tape and today’s published analysis:
- Whether after-hours weakness persists or fades in premarket
LOW’s after-hours dip was small, but if it expands in premarket trading, the market may be reacting to sector sentiment rather than company news—especially in thin liquidity. [31] - Interest-rate and mortgage-rate signals
Even absent major U.S. economic releases on Dec. 26, rates can move on positioning and headlines. Lowe’s is one of the large retailers most exposed to “rates psychology” because big DIY projects often depend on financing and housing confidence. [32] - Earnings estimate drift
Today’s Zacks-syndicated note emphasized that consensus estimates for Lowe’s have edged down in the last month for the current quarter and next fiscal year. If that estimate trend continues into January, it can cap rallies even in a strong market tape. [33] - Year-end market tone (Santa rally vs. profit-taking)
Reuters framed today as the start of the “Santa Claus rally” window and highlighted record index closes and thin holiday trading. If the broader market keeps climbing, LOW can get a tailwind; if profit-taking hits high-multiple leadership, the whole tape can wobble. [34]
Bottom line for Lowe’s stock after the bell on 24.12.2025
Lowe’s stock closed $243.00 in the early-close Christmas Eve session, then slipped to about $242.53 after hours—a small move that fits the thin-liquidity holiday pattern. [35]
The bigger story is the setup:
- the market just printed record highs into the holiday,
- rate-cut expectations are still embedded in sentiment,
- and today’s analyst-style coverage leaned on a familiar theme for LOW: estimate revisions and housing-cycle sensitivity. [36]
With markets closed Dec. 25 and reopening Dec. 26, and no major U.S. economic reports scheduled for Friday, LOW’s next move is likely to be driven by macro tone, rates, and year-end positioning, unless a surprise company-specific headline breaks. [37]
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.nyse.com, 2. stockanalysis.com, 3. stockanalysis.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. public.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.investopedia.com, 9. finviz.com, 10. finviz.com, 11. finviz.com, 12. finviz.com, 13. finviz.com, 14. www.marketbeat.com, 15. corporate.lowes.com, 16. www.sec.gov, 17. www.marketbeat.com, 18. www.investing.com, 19. www.nyse.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. www.marketwatch.com, 23. www.marketwatch.com, 24. www.kiplinger.com, 25. zillow.mediaroom.com, 26. apnews.com, 27. corporate.lowes.com, 28. www.zacks.com, 29. corporate.lowes.com, 30. corporate.lowes.com, 31. public.com, 32. www.investopedia.com, 33. finviz.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. stockanalysis.com, 36. www.reuters.com, 37. www.nyse.com
