To some investors, Lowe's Companies (LOW -0.28%) stock can look like a desirable holding. Despite its challenges, it is the second-largest home improvement retailer, behind rival Home Depot, and many perceive it as one of the safer stock holdings.Since the demand for construction, repairs, and remodeling supplies never goes away, it has a likely path for permanent growth as long as it continues meeting customer needs. But will that produce enough growth to keep an investor in that stock? Let's take a closer ...