Raymond James Financial Inc. Takes $40.36 Million Position in LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ)

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 1,098,321 shares of the auto parts company's stock, valued at approximately $40,363,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.42% of LKQ at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in shares of LKQ by 12.5% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 20,219 shares of the auto parts company's stock worth $807,000 after purchasing an additional 2,244 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC raised its position in shares of LKQ by 226.3% in the 3rd quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 22,363 shares of the auto parts company's stock valued at $893,000 after acquiring an additional 15,509 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC boosted its stake in LKQ by 22.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 33,725 shares of the auto parts company's stock worth $1,298,000 after acquiring an additional 6,143 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in LKQ in the third quarter valued at approximately $81,000. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of LKQ by 3.0% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 32,995 shares of the auto parts company's stock worth $1,317,000 after purchasing an additional 947 shares in the last quarter. 95.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

LKQ Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of LKQ stock traded down $0.50 during trading on Monday, reaching $41.53. The company's stock had a trading volume of 98,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,274,471. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. LKQ Co. has a one year low of $35.56 and a one year high of $49.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $41.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.13. The company has a market cap of $10.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.86 and a beta of 1.09.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The auto parts company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.04. LKQ had a return on equity of 14.93% and a net margin of 4.81%. The company had revenue of $3.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.42 billion. Analysts anticipate that LKQ Co. will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current year.

LKQ Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.89%. LKQ's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised LKQ from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of LKQ from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of LKQ in a report on Monday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, LKQ presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $52.60.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Dominick P. Zarcone sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.66, for a total value of $416,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 359,462 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,975,186.92. This trade represents a 2.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 45,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,864,350. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.