The nation’s second-largest chain of hardware stores said Wednesday (Nov. 16) that its commercial or “Pro” business grew 19% last quarter, as consumers continue to invest in home remodeling projects rather than face the turbulence and high mortgage rates that are currently crimping housing sales. In announcing its third-quarter earnings results, the CEO of the North Carolina-based operator of nearly 2,000 stores said that contrary to common misperception about the home improvement business, Lowe’s current and long-term prospects remain strong. “Even in the U.S. market where home prices have declined after a particularly steep run-up during the pandemic, we are not seeing any impact to sales,” Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison told…