LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ) has earned an average rating of “Buy” from the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $60.80.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on LKQ shares. Barrington Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of LKQ in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of LKQ from $54.00 to $50.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of LKQ in a research note on Thursday, July 25th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Andrew C. Clarke acquired 7,600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.70 per share, for a total transaction of $301,720.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $417,604.30. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Andrew C. Clarke bought 7,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.70 per share, with a total value of $301,720.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $417,604.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Justin L. Jude purchased 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $39.91 per share, with a total value of $99,775.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 207,515 shares in the company, valued at $8,281,923.65. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have purchased 12,600 shares of company stock valued at $500,870. Company insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LKQ

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Czech National Bank lifted its stake in shares of LKQ by 0.5% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 47,084 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $2,515,000 after buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its holdings in shares of LKQ by 40.8% in the fourth quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 777 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC lifted its position in LKQ by 5.3% during the first quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 4,572 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in LKQ by 4.6% during the first quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 5,249 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $280,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evergreen Wealth Solutions LLC grew its holdings in LKQ by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Evergreen Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 5,229 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. 95.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

LKQ Stock Performance

LKQ opened at $41.59 on Monday. LKQ has a 12 month low of $35.57 and a 12 month high of $54.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $41.64 and a 200 day moving average of $45.35. The firm has a market cap of $11.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.50 and a beta of 1.29.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The auto parts company reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.03 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. LKQ had a return on equity of 15.33% and a net margin of 5.03%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that LKQ will post 3.6 EPS for the current year.

LKQ Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.89%. LKQ’s payout ratio is currently 38.96%.

LKQ Company Profile

LKQ Corporation engages in the distribution of replacement parts, components, and systems used in the repair and maintenance of vehicles and specialty vehicle aftermarket products and accessories. It operates through four segments: Wholesale-North America, Europe, Specialty, and Self Service. The company distributes bumper covers, automotive body panels, and lights, as well as mechanical automotive parts and accessories; salvage products, including mechanical and collision parts comprising engines; transmissions; door assemblies; sheet metal products, such as trunk lids, fenders, and hoods; lights and bumper assemblies; scrap metal and other materials to metals recyclers; and brake pads, discs and sensors, clutches, steering and suspension products, filters, and oil and automotive fluids, as well as electrical products, including spark plugs and batteries.