LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) Hits New 1-Year Low on Insider Selling

LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week low on Friday after an insider sold shares in the company. The stock traded as low as $35.56 and last traded at $36.07, with a volume of 234138 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $36.24.

Specifically, Director Dominick P. Zarcone sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.84, for a total value of $184,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 374,462 shares of the company's stock, valued at $13,795,180.08. This trade represents a 1.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on LKQ shares. Roth Mkm restated a "buy" rating and issued a $59.00 target price on shares of LKQ in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of LKQ in a report on Friday, October 25th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on LKQ from $53.00 to $47.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on LKQ from $54.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of LKQ from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, November 18th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $53.80.

LKQ Stock Up 1.0 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $37.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.76. The company has a market capitalization of $9.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.65 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The auto parts company reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.65 billion. LKQ had a net margin of 4.90% and a return on equity of 15.15%. The firm's revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.86 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that LKQ Co. will post 3.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

LKQ Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 14th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 14th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.28%. LKQ's dividend payout ratio is currently 44.78%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LKQ

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new stake in LKQ during the 3rd quarter worth about $45,733,000. Seizert Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of LKQ by 451.1% during the third quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,327,664 shares of the auto parts company's stock valued at $53,000,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086,758 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in LKQ by 552.8% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,236,158 shares of the auto parts company's stock valued at $51,412,000 after buying an additional 1,046,805 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in LKQ by 7.9% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 11,944,496 shares of the auto parts company's stock valued at $496,772,000 after acquiring an additional 875,420 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Private Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in LKQ during the 3rd quarter valued at about $19,889,000. 95.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.