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42. Lowe's
Lowe's
Rank: 42 (Previous rank: 47)
CEO: Robert A. Niblock
Compare tool: Lowe's vs. Top 10
Between rising unemployment and falling home values, last year was a tough slog for the world's second largest home improvement retailer. Big-ticket sales ($500 and up) were way down as DIYers opted for routine maintenance over luxurious home upgrades.

The company still plans to open 40 new stores in 2010, but it had opened 115 in 2008. Lowe's continues to chase Home Depot by keeping its edge in customer service and using sophisticated logistics to carefully control how much inventory is delivered to its stores.--J.S.

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Key financials $ millions % change
from 2008
Revenues 47,220.0 -2.1
Profits 1,783.0 -18.8
Assets 33,005.0
Stockholders' equity 19,069.0
Market value (3/26/2010) 36,035.3
Profits as % of  
Revenues 3.8
Assets 5.4
Stockholders' equity 9.4
Earnings per share  
2009 $ 1.21
% change from 2008 -18.8
1999-2009 annual growth rate % 10.7
Total return to investors %
2009 10.6
1999-2009 annual rate 5.2
Rank Company 500
rank
Revenues
($ millions)
1 Costco Wholesale 25 71,422.0
2 Home Depot 29 66,176.0
3 Lowe's 42 47,220.0
4 Best Buy 45 45,015.0
5 Staples 101 24,275.5
6 TJX 119 20,288.4
7 Gap 162 14,197.0
8 Toys "R" Us 171 13,568.0
9 Office Depot 192 12,144.5
10 BJ's Wholesale Club 232 10,187.0
11 GameStop 255 9,078.0
12 Limited Brands 269 8,632.5
13 OfficeMax 313 7,212.1
14 Bed Bath & Beyond 314 7,208.3
15 Ross Stores 316 7,184.2
16 AutoZone 329 6,816.8
17 Barnes & Noble 372 5,596.3
18 Pantry 382 5,472.0
19 Advance Auto Parts 389 5,412.6
20 PetSmart 393 5,336.4
21 Dollar Tree 397 5,231.2
22 Foot Locker 428 4,854.0
23 O'Reilly Automotive 429 4,847.1
24 Big Lots 436 4,726.8
25 TravelCenters of America 440 4,699.8
26 Dick's Sporting Goods 466 4,412.8
27 RadioShack 481 4,276.0
28 Casey's General Stores 485 4,251.5
29 Blockbuster 500 4,161.8
Issue date: May 3, 2010.
Figures are for fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2010.
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Headquarters
MAPS
Lowe's
1000 Lowe's Blvd.
Mooresville, NC 28117
704-758-1000
www.lowes.com/investor
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Rank # of Fortune 500 Companies
California 57
Texas 57
New York 56
Company 2009 $ (millions)
Exxon Mobil $19,280.0
Microsoft $14,569.0
Wal-Mart Stores $14,335.0
FAQ and methodology
Included in the survey are U.S. incorporated companies filing financial statements with a government agency. This includes private companies... More
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