LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of LKQ from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of LKQ in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of LKQ from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of LKQ from $53.00 to $47.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $52.60.

LKQ Stock Performance

Shares of LKQ stock opened at $40.49 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.72. LKQ has a 1 year low of $35.56 and a 1 year high of $53.68. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $37.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.76. The firm has a market cap of $10.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.11 and a beta of 1.29.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The auto parts company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $3.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.42 billion. LKQ had a return on equity of 15.15% and a net margin of 4.90%. Equities analysts forecast that LKQ will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at LKQ

In other LKQ news, Director Dominick P. Zarcone sold 10,000 shares of LKQ stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.66, for a total transaction of $416,600.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 359,462 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,975,186.92. The trade was a 2.71 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders sold 20,000 shares of company stock valued at $781,500 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in LKQ in the 4th quarter valued at about $165,548,000. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of LKQ in the 4th quarter worth approximately $160,339,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of LKQ in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $119,395,000. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of LKQ during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $91,678,000. Finally, Eminence Capital LP bought a new stake in LKQ during the fourth quarter worth approximately $68,944,000. 95.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About LKQ

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.