Lowe’s reports gross margins in 1Q that were below consensus, but the retailer’s better-than-expected sales during the quarter kept profits in line with the consensus estimate, DA Davidson analyst Michael Baker says in a research note. On the margin side, it’s a tough look for Lowe’s, which had been narrowing its margin gap with rival Home Depot for the past several years only for the gap to widen in 1Q, the analyst says. Still, the sales decline was lighter than expected and guidance was reiterated, Baker says. Lowe’s is off 1.4% in early trading.