Mr. Robert Sawyer reports

LOWE'S RECEIVES INVESTMENT CANADA APPROVAL AND COMPETITION BUREAU CLEARANCE FOR ITS PENDING ACQUISITION OF RONA

Lowe's Companies Inc. has been granted approval under the Investment Canada Act and clearance from the Competition Bureau with respect to its pending acquisition of Rona Inc.

"We are very pleased that Canadian regulatory agencies have authorized the transaction and we look forward to the benefits it will bring to stakeholders across the country," said Lowe's Canada president Sylvain Prud'homme. "We have made significant commitments to the Canadian market over all, to Quebec and to the communities in which the company operates. We believe these commitments will serve customers, employees, dealer owners and our partners well on a long-term basis."

Rona president and chief executive officer Robert Sawyer added, "Today we have completed a major step toward the closing of the transaction, which will be very positive for the future of Rona, its employees and all of its stakeholders."

Given that the transaction has previously been approved by Rona common shareholders, this announcement represents the last major milestone in the process and clears the way for final closing of the transaction. The company expects to close the transaction on May 20, 2016.

We seek Safe Harbor.