Lowe’s Cos. [stock LOW][/stock], the second-largest U.S. home-improvement retailer, posted fourth-quarter profit that exceeded analysts’ estimates, helped by spending on remodeling and Hurricane Sandy repairs.

Net income fell 11% to $288 million, or 26 cents a share, from $322 million, or 26 cents, a year earlier, the Mooresville, North Carolina-based company said today in a statement.