LOWES COMPANIES INC
10-Q, 1994-12-15
LUMBER & OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS DEALERS
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                                  - 1-

                        UNITED STATES
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549

                        FORM 10-Q / A

(Mark One)
[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1994

                        OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to

Commission file number    1-7898

                        LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        NORTH CAROLINA                          56-0578072
(State of other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)


        P.O. BOX 1111, NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C.  28656
           (Address of principle executive offices)
                        (Zip Code)

                        (919) 651-4000
        (registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                           NONE
        (Former name,  former address and former fiscal year, if
          changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 YES  X    NO     .

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

        Class                   Outstanding at November 30, 1994
Common Stock, $.50 par value            159,405,322


                                     14
                                TOTAL PAGES











                      2


           LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.


                     INDEX


PART I   Financial Information:
                                                                      Page No.
   Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets   October 31, 1994
   and January 31, 1994.                                                    3

   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Current and
   Retained Earnings   three months and nine months
   ended October 31, 1994 and 1993.                                         4

   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows   three
   months and nine months ended October 31, 1994 and 1993.                  5

   Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.                6-7

   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
   of Operations and Financial Condition.                               8-10

   Independent Accountants' Report.                                        11



PART II   Other Information

Item 6 (a) - Exhibits.

   Exhibit Computation of per share earnings                               12

   Exhibit Financial Data Schedule                                         13

Item 6 (b) - Reports on Form 8-K.                                          14








<TABLE>

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Dollars in thousands


                                                     October 31,      January 31,
                                                        1994             1994
                                                    _____________    _____________
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Assets

     Current assets:

     Cash and cash equivalents                           $73,772          $73,253
     Short-term investments                              246,309           35,215
     Accounts receivable - net                            165926           53,301
     Merchandise inventory                               1040015          853,707
     Other assets                                         41,494           68,431
                                                    ____________     ____________

     Total current assets                                1567516          1083907

     Property, less accumulated depreciation             1223383        1,020,234
     Long-term investments                                 44299           40,408
     Other assets                                          62128           57,099
                                                    ____________     ____________

     Total assets                                     $2,897,326       $2,201,648



Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity


     Current liabilities:

     Current maturities of long-term debt                $26,013          $49,547
     Short-term notes payable                               1917            2,281
     Accounts payable                                     597131          467,278
     Employee retirement plans                             33196           34,422
     Accrued salaries and wages                            44650           45,883
     Other current liabilities                            135305           81,765
                                                    ____________     ____________

     Total current liabilities                            838212           681176

     Long-term debt, excluding current maturities         628288          592,333
     Deferred income taxes                                 37121           26,165
     Accrued store restructuring costs                    14,985           28,305
                                                    ____________     ____________

     Total liabilities                                   1518606          1327979
                                                    ____________     ____________
     Shareholders' equity








     Common stock - $.50 par value;
                Issued and Outstanding
         October 31, 1994     159,377,548
         January 31, 1994     147,886,770                  79689           73,943
     Capital in excess of par                             548814          202,962
     Retained earnings                                    753801          596,764
     Unearned compensation-restricted stock awards         -2486
     Unrealized holding losses for available-for-sal       -1098
                                                    ____________     ____________

     Total shareholders' equity                          1378720           873669
                                                    _____________    _____________
     Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity                           $2,897,326       $2,201,648




See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

</TABLE>







<TABLE>

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Current and Retained Earnings
Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Data

                                                         Three months ended                          Nine months ended
                                               October 31, 199     October 31, 1993       October 31, 1     October 31, 1993
Current Earnings                               Amount Percent       Amount Percent        Amount Percen     Amount Percent
                                                                                     ____________________________________________
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>         <C>     <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>
Net sales                                     1579005  100.00   $1,158,370 100.00    $4,623,032 100.00 $3,392,173 100.00

Cost of sales                                 1197859   75.86       882750  76.21       3501618  75.74    2589906  76.35

Gross margin                                   381146   24.14       275620  23.79       1121414  24.26     802267  23.65

Expenses:

Selling, general and administrative            239190   15.15       185178  15.98        685196  14.82     525591  15.49

Store opening costs                             10628    0.67         7217   0.62         25366   0.55      16666   0.49

Depreciation                                    28661    1.82        20223   1.75         78824   1.71      58394   1.72

Employee retirement plans                       13265    0.84        10657   0.92         37507   0.81      30092   0.89

Interest                                         5852    0.37         4834   0.42         21580   0.47      12204   0.36

Total expenses                                 297596   18.85       228109  19.69        848473  18.36     642947  18.95

Pre-tax earnings                                83550    5.29        47511   4.10        272941   5.90     159320   4.70

Income tax provision                            29359    1.86        15866   1.37         95646   2.06      53267   1.57

Net earnings                                  $54,191    3.43      $31,645   2.73      $177,295   3.84   $106,053   3.13
                                                                                     ____________________________________________
Shares outstanding (weighted average)          159399               147906               153439            147185

Earnings per common & common
 equivalent share                               $0.34                $0.21                $1.16             $0.72

Earnings per common share -
 assuming full dilution                         $0.33                $0.21                $1.11             $0.71
                                                                                     ____________________________________________
Retained earnings
                                                                                     ____________________________________________
Balance at beginning of period               $706,782             $551,396             $596,763          $489,033
Net earnings                                    54191                31645               177295            106053
Cash dividends                                  -7172                -5911               -20257            -17656
Stock Split                                         0                 -162                    0              -462
Balance at end of period                     $753,801             $576,968             $753,801          $576,968

                                                                                     ____________________________________________
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

</TABLE>

















<TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Dollars in Thousands                                                  For the nine months ended October 31
                                                                      ____________________________________
                                                                              1994            1993
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
     Net Earnings                                                              177295          106053
     Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash
       Provided By Operating Activities:
         Depreciation                                                           78824           58394
         Amortization of Original Issue Discount                                 2399               0
         Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes                            8425           -3821
         Loss on Disposition/Writedown of Fixed and Other Assets                 3635            8397
         Decrease (Increase) in Operating Assets:
           Accounts Receivable - Net                                          -112625          -21283
           Merchandise Inventory                                              -186308         -235056
           Other Operating Assets                                               28895           -1748
         Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities:
           Accounts Payable                                                    129853           56944
           Employee Retirement Plans                                            30503           26214
           Accrued Store Restructuring                                          -7281          -10138
           Other Operating Liabilities                                          53968           30118
     Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                 207583           14074

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     Decrease (Increase) in Investment Assets:
       Short-Term Investments                                                 -212043          -88310
       Purchases of Long-Term Investments                                      -19519          -36456
       Proceeds from Sale/Maturity of Long-Term Investments                     15304            6103
       Other Long-Term Assets                                                   -2358             455
     Fixed Assets Acquired                                                    -257578         -224474
     Proceeds from the Sale of Fixed and Other Long-Term Assets                 11640           21248
     Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                    -464554         -321434

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Sources:
     Long-Term Debt Borrowings                                                    500          281915
     Net (Decrease) Increase in Short-Term Borrowings                            -363            6444
     Net Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock                                315814
     Stock Options Exercised                                                      961             854
     Total Financing Sources                                                   316912          289213

  Uses:
     Repayment of Long-term Debt                                               -39086           -4177
     Cash Dividend Payments                                                    -20257          -17656
     Common Stock Purchased for Retirement                                        -79
     Total Financing Uses                                                      -59422          -21833
     Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                 257490          267380

  Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                            519          -39980
  Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                                73253           48949
  Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                                      73772            8969










See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

</TABLE>







<TABLE>

                Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
<S>     <C>     <C>                                          <C>                 <C>
Note  1:The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) have
        been reviewed by an independent Certified Public Accountant, and in the opinion of
        management, they contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial
        position as of October 31, 1994, and the results of operations for the three-month and
        nine-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993, and the cash flows for the nine-
        month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993.

Note  2:The results of operations for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993
        are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note  3:Interest and loan expense is net of interest income of $4,481,000 and $1,857,000 for
        the three-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and
        $8,058,000 and $3,606,000 for the nine month periods ended October 31, 1994 and
        1993, respectively.  In addition, interest on construction in progress was capitalized in
        the amount of $1,268,000 and $1,018,000 for the three-month periods ended October
        31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and $2,869,000 and $2,719,000 for the nine-month
        periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

Note  4:If the FIFO method of inventory accounting had been used, inventories would have
        been $74,051,000 higher at October 31, 1994 and $64,541,000 higher at January 31,
           1994

Note  5:Stock options exercised consisted of 7,000 and 43,800 shares resulting in proceeds of
        $45,000 and $268,000 for the three-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993,
        respectively, and 117,800 and 151,420 shares resulting in proceeds of $961,000 and
        $854,000 for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

Note  6:Property is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $339,492,000 at October 31,
        1994 and $296,788,000 at January 31, 1994.

Note  7:Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

        Nine months ended October 31                                1994                1993

        Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized)          $33,667,000         $19,395,000
        Cash paid for income taxes                            83,136,000          47,247,000

        Non-cash investing and financing activities:

        Common stock issued to ESOP                           31,729,000          30,558,000
        Fixed assets acquired under capital lease             48,795,000           9,064,000
        Common stock issued to executives
          and directors                                        2,981,000
        Conversion of debt to common stock                       217,000

Note  8:On January 31, 1994, the Board of Directors authorized the funding of the Fiscal 1994
        ESOP contribution primarily with the issuance of new shares of the Company's common
        stock.  During the first three quarters of Fiscal 1994, the Company issued 922,075
        shares with a market value of $31.7 million.

                                -7-

Note  9:On January 10, 1994, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
        a shelf registration statement covering $500 million of "unallocated" debt or equity








        securities.  The shelf registration enables the Company to issue common stock,
        preferred stock, senior unsecured debt securities or subordinated unsecured debt
        securities from time to time.

        On June 27, 1994, the Company sold 10,350,000 shares of common stock under the
        shelf registration discussed above.  The Company received proceeds, net of the
        underwriting discount and other costs, of $315,814,000.  The proceeds are being used
        to finance the Company's large store expansion program and for general corporate
        purposes.

Note 10:During the second quarter, the Company purchased interest rate caps on its interest
        rate swap agreements.  The caps limit the Company's floating interest rate exposure to
        approximately 75 basis points over the fixed rate received in the agreements.  The
        costs of the caps are amortized over the life of the agreements.

Note 11:During the first quarter of Fiscal 1994, $10,000 principal of the Company's 3%
        Convertible Subordinated Notes were converted into 382 shares of the Company's
        common stock.  During the third quarter, $207,000 principal of the Company's' 3%
        Convertible Subordinated Notes were converted into 7,921 shares of the Company's
        common stock.

Note 12:Costs associated with the relocation and closing of stores during the three months and
        nine months ended October 31, 1994, which were recognized through the restructuring
        charge in Fiscal 1991, totaled $4,990,000 and $15,850,000, respectively.  Comparable
        costs incurred during the three months and nine months ended October 31, 1993 were
        $5,757,000 and $10,138,000, respectively.

Note 13:Unearned Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards of $2,486,000 included in
        Shareholders' Equity on the balance sheet is the result of stock grants totaling 95,000
        shares made to certain executives and directors.  The amount will be amortized as
        earned over periods not exceeding seven years.

Note 14:The Company considers its debt and equity securities portfolio, presented herein as
        both long and short-term investments, to be available for sale under the provisions of
        Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115.  At October 31, 1994,
        the unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities was $1,098,000.

Note 15:Earnings per common and common equivalent share is computed based upon the
        weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the
        dilutive effect of common shares contingently issuable from stock options.  Earnings per
        common share - assuming full dilution reflects the potential dilutive effect of dilutive
        common share equivalents and the Company's 3% Convertible Subordinated Notes
        issued July 22, 1993.  These notes are due July 22, 2003.

</TABLE>







<TABLE>
                   -8-

   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
<CAPTION>

<S><C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   Results of operations for the third quarter ended October 31, 1994 continued the strong
results of the first and second quarters.  Quarterly sales were up 36% to a third quarter record
$1.579 billion with comparable store sales up 16%.  Net earnings increased 71% to $54.2 million.
Earnings per share (fully diluted) were $.33 compared to $.21 in the comparable quarter of last
year.  The earnings increase is attributable to a managed increase in margins of 38% and the
leveraging of expenses that increased only 30% relative to the 36% sales increase.  For the nine
months ended October 31, 1994, sales were up 36% to $4.623 billion and net earnings up 67% to
$177.3 million.  Earnings per share (fully diluted) were $1.11 compared to $.71 for the first nine
months last year.

   Sales in the third quarter were enhanced by the addition of 4.6 million square feet of retail
selling space at new and existing locations since last year's third quarter.  Selling prices of lumber
and plywood were higher than in last year's third quarter; however we experienced deflation in
most other categories.  On average, changing prices accounted for about 3% of the quarter's
sales increase.

   Gross margin was 24.14% of sales for the quarter ended October 31, 1994, versus 23.79% in
last year's quarter.  For the nine months ended October 31, 1994, gross margin was 24.26%,
compared with the prior year's 23.65%.  The increase in gross margin percentage in the quarter
and nine-month period was primarily the result of favorable changes in our mix.  The successful
implementation of our Everyday Competitive Pricing strategy is self evident as customers are
buying with confidence every day, increasing sales and margin dollars.

   Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $239.2 million for the quarter
ended October 31, 1994, a 29% increase over last year's third quarter.  We experienced positive
leverage however, as SG&A dropped from 15.98% of sales to 15.15% due to the 36% sales
increase.  For the nine months ended October 31, 1994, SG&A was up 30% but declined as a
percentage of sales from 15.49% to 14.82%.  The positive leverage came from several factors.
The increase in store salaries (excluding those in opening costs) was 32%, due primarily to the
staffing requirements for our new and relocated stores.  General office expense rose just 14% and
advertising rose 18%, both providing positive leverage.  The same factors account for the nine-
month improvement relative to sales.

   For the quarter ended October 31, 1994, store opening costs were $10.6 million versus $7.2
million last year, representing costs associated with the opening of 10 stores this year (3 new and
7 relocated) compared to 9 stores in last year's third quarter (4 new and 5 relocated).  Store
opening costs averaged $530,000 in the third quarter of 1993 and these costs averaged $692,000
per project in 1994.  Advertising and staff training expenditures have been increased, as we now
have a training coordinator in every new store.  For the nine months ended October 31, 1994,
store opening costs were $25.4 million versus $16.7 million last year representing costs
associated with the opening of 31 stores this year (16 new and 15 relocated) versus 32 stores last
year (13 new and 19 relocated).


                           -9-


   Depreciation was $28.7 million for the quarter ended October 31, 1994, and $78.8 million for








the nine months ended October 31, 1994.  This is an increase of 42% and 35%, respectively, over
the comparable periods last year.  The increases are due primarily to fixtures, displays and
computer equipment related to our store expansion program.

   Employee retirement plans expense increased 24% to $13.3 million for the three months
ended October 31, 1994, due to a 31% increase in salaries offset by a lower percentage of
employees qualifying for the ESOP.  For the nine months ended October 31, 1994, employee
retirement plans expense was up 25%.

   Interest expense increased $9.4 million to $21.6 million for the nine months ended October
31, 1994, a 77% increase.  This is the result of an increase of $4.6 million in the first quarter, an
increase of $3.8 million in the second and an increase of $1.0 million in the third quarter.  The
increases are primarily due to interest on our convertible notes and other long-term debt.

   The Company's effective income tax rate was 35.14% for the three months ended October
31, 1994, compared to 33.39% for the comparable three months last year.  For the nine months
ended October 31, 1994, the effective tax rate was 35.04% compared to 33.43% for the previous
year.  The current year's higher rates are due to a slight increase in the effective state rate and
the effect of fixed dollar tax credits in relation to higher profitability.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   The uses of cash in the first nine months have continued to lay the groundwork for
successfully implementing our strategic plan.  Merchandise inventory has increased $186.3
million, mostly due to the increased merchandise assortments in our new and relocated stores.
Real property has increased in line with the Company's strategic plan to continue expansion of
sales floor square footage by relocating from older, smaller stores to larger stores and to expand
into new markets.  The Company's 1994 capital expenditures will range between $575 and $600
million, inclusive of $220 million in operating leases.  Over 80% of this planned investment is for
our store expansion program.

   Our 1994 expansion has been financed through the net proceeds from our equity offering,
funds from operations, operating leases, and issuance of about $32 million in common stock to
our ESOP (see Note 8).  On June 27, the Company sold 10.35 million shares of common stock.
The proceeds (net of the underwriting discount and other costs) of $315.8 million were added to
the general funds of the Company and will be used to finance the store expansion program and
for general corporate purposes.  The shares were included in a registration statement covering
$500 million of "unallocated" equity or debt securities (see Note 9).  Additional financings that may
be made from time to time over an approximate two-year period will be used for our ongoing
expansion program and for general corporate purposes.  In addition to these sources, the
Company had available at October 31, 1994, agreements for up to $144 million in lines of credit
for issuing documentary and standby letters of credit.  Another $275 million is available for the
purpose of short-term borrowings on a bid basis from various banks.


                           -10-

   Lowe's ended the third quarter with 326 stores and 16.8 million square feet of retail selling
space, a 38% increase over last October's selling space.  Our expansion plans for 1994 envision
about 50 new stores with half in new markets and half relocations, for approximately 4.4 million
square feet of incremental selling space.  During the first nine months of Fiscal 1994 we have
completed 31 of our projected 50 store projects for the year and added 1.8 million square feet of
selling space.  We also closed 4 smaller, older stores.  Our expansion plans for the fourth quarter
include 9 relocations and 10 stores in new markets.  By the close of Fiscal 1994 our plans are to
have approximately 18.6 million square feet, double our Fiscal 1992 year end square footage.

   Lowe's expansion plans for Fiscal 1995 and 1996 are to expand our store count from the








present base of 326 stores to approximately 400 by January 31, 1997.  This a planned growth of
about 25% in stores in 27 months.  From 1992 through 1995, almost 60% of our new store
investment was and will be in existing markets, with therefore, only a portion of the new store
sales being incremental.  In 1996 and beyond, with relocations at a lower level, about 80% of our
new store investment will be in new markets, which is expected to create an additional boost in
incremental sales volume.

</TABLE>










<TABLE>
                        -11-
<CAPTION>

<S>     <C>     <C>
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Lowe's Companies, Inc.:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet of
Lowe's Companies, Inc. and subsidiary companies as of October 31, 1994, and the
related consolidated condensed statements of current and retained earnings for the
three-month and nine-month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993 and cash
flows for the nine month periods ended October 31, 1994 and 1993. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information
consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and of making
inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is
substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express
such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be
made to such consolidated condensed financial statements for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Lowe's Companies, Inc. and subsidiary
companies as of January 31, 1994, and the related consolidated statements of
current and retained earnings and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented
herein); and in our report dated March 9, 1994, we expressed an unqualified opinion
on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth
in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet as of January 31, 1994
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet
from which it has been derived.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
November 10, 1994

</TABLE>






<TABLE>
                                       12

Part II   OTHER INFORMATION
<CAPTION>

    <S>                                   <C>       <C>              <C>         <C>
    6 (a) - Exhibits

    Exhibit 11 - Computation of per share earnings

                                          Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                            October 31                 October 31
                                               1994         1993            1994          1993

    Earnings per Common & Common Equivalent Share:

    Net Earnings                            $54,191      $31,645        $177,295      $106,053

    Weighted Average Shares
         Outstanding                        159,264      147,566         153,306       146,914
    Dilutive Effect of Common
         Stock Equivalents                      135          340             133           271
    Weighted Average Shares,
         as Adjusted                        159,399      147,906         153,439       147,185

    Earnings per Common &
         Common Equivalent Share              $0.34        $0.21           $1.16         $0.72


    Earnings per Common Share - Assuming Full Dilution:

    Net Earnings                            $54,191      $31,645        $177,295      $106,053
    Interest (After Taxes) on
         Convertible Debt                     1,919        1,950           5,744         2,116

    Net Earnings, as Adjusted               $56,110      $33,595        $183,039      $108,169

    Weighted Average Shares
         Outstanding                        159,264      147,566         153,306       146,914
    Dilutive Effect of Common
         Stock Equivalents                      136          335             136           332
    Shares Added if All Debt
         Converted                           10,995       11,003          10,995         4,111

    Weighted Average Shares,
         as Adjusted                        170,395      158,904         164,437       151,357

    Earnings per Common Share
         - Assuming Full Dilution             $0.33        $0.21           $1.11         $0.71

</TABLE>









                                -13-

EXHIBIT 27
Financial Data Schedule

Fiscal year ended                                   Jan-31-1994
Period end                                          Oct-31-94
Multiplier                                             1000
Cash and cash items                                   73772
Marketable securities                                246309
Notes and accounts receivable-trade                  165926
Allowances for doubtful accounts                          0
Inventory                                           1040015
Total current assets                                1567516
Property plant and equipment                        1223383
Accumulated depreciation                                  0
Total assets                                        2897326
Total current liabilities                            838212
Bonds,mortgages and similar debt                     628288
Preferred stock-mandatory redemption                      0
Preferred stock-no mandatory redemption                   0
Common stock                                          79689
Other stockholders equity                           1299031
Total liabilities and stockholders equity           2897326
Net sales of tangible products                      4623032
Total revenue                                       4623032
Costs of tangible goods sold                        3501618
Total costs and expenses applicable to sales        3501618
Other costs and expenses                                  0
Provision for doubtful accounts and notes                 0
Interest and amortization of debt discount            21580
Income before tax and other items                    272941
Income tax expense                                    95646
Income/loss continuing operations                    177295
Discontinued operations                                   0
Extraordinary items                                       0
Cumulative effect-change in accounting principles         0
Net income or loss                                   177295
Earnings per share primary                             1.16
Earnings per share-fully diluted                       1.11






                               14

 Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

        6(b) - Reports on Form 8-K

            There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during
             the quarter ended October 31, 1994.






                            SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
        registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
        undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                    LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.


                                    \S\ Richard D. Elledge
 Date  December 15, 1994            Richard D. Elledge
                            Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer




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