Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Industry: Retail (Home Improvement)

Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a Fortune 100 company that serves more than seven million customers a week at more than 840 home improvement stores in 44 states. The 14th largest retailer in the nation, Wilkesboro, NC-based Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Business Summary
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (Lowe's) is a home improvement retailer, with specific emphasis on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers who utilize its installation services, and commercial business customers. The Company offers a complete line of products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling and maintenance of commercial buildings. Its stores feature a home fashions and interior design center; a lawn and garden center; an appliance center; an outdoor power equipment center; an outdoor grill and patio furniture specialty shop; a hardware store; an air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical supply center; a lumber yard, and building materials center. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2005 (fiscal 2004), the Company operated 1,087 stores in 48 states, with 124 million square feet of retail selling space.

Financial Summary
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a retailer serving the do-it-yourself home improvement, home decor and home construction markets. LOW operates 854 stores located in 44 states predominantly in the eastern half of the U.S. For the 6 months ended 7/29/05, revenues rose 16% to $21.84B. Net income increased 24% to $1.43B. Results reflect the addition of 15 million square feet of retail selling space, and higher margins.