LOWE’S SALES RISE, BUT SALES GROWTH MODEST

Stiff competition and mixed marketing results ate into Lowe’s profit in the first quarter even as housing construction activities remain robust nationwide. Sales rose 10.7% to $16.9 billion. But growth of comparable sales — or sales of stores that have been open at least a year — was more modest, inching up 1.9%. Sales of outdoor products — usually a strong category in the spring — were “soft” because its promotional messages were more focused on products such as appliances and other in-home goods, the company said.