Lowe's QQ4 2024 results reflect a continuation of revenue decline amid a softer housing backdrop, with profitability under pressure from higher operating costs and a challenging mix. Revenue reached $18.553 billion, down 13.16% year over year and 8.02% quarter over quarter, while gross margins compressed to 30.46% and operating margins to 9.43%, contributing to a net income of $1.124 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.00. Despite MACRO headwinds, the company generated operating cash flow of $0.911 billion and free cash flow of $0.363 billion, supporting a cash balance of $1.761 billion at period end. However, Lowe’s remains heavily leveraged, with total debt of $39.678 billion and negative stockholders’ equity of -$14.231 billion, underscoring balance sheet fragility and refinancing risk if the cycle worsens. Management allocated capital to buybacks ($1.372 billion) and dividends ($0.650 billion), further impacting liquidity and equity levels. The quarterly performance underscores ongoing margin discipline opportunities, inventory velocity challenges (inventory ~$17.41 billion; current ratio ~1.09; quick ratio ~0.16), and earnings sensitivity to housing demand and cost management.