Symmetry Partners LLC Acquires 1,809 Shares of LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ)

Symmetry Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ) by 9.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,345 shares of the auto parts company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,809 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLC’s holdings in LKQ were worth $1,186,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of LKQ by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,096,883 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $119,019,000 after acquiring an additional 12,111 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank increased its stake in LKQ by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 22,293 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $1,265,000 after buying an additional 1,535 shares during the last quarter. American International Group Inc. increased its stake in LKQ by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 77,324 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $4,130,000 after buying an additional 5,158 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of LKQ during the 1st quarter worth approximately $335,000. Finally, Aviva PLC boosted its stake in shares of LKQ by 43.5% in the 4th quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 433,682 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $9,627,000 after buying an additional 131,487 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.67% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Dominick P. Zarcone sold 32,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.74, for a total transaction of $1,655,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 495,004 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,611,506.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

LKQ Price Performance

LKQ stock opened at $50.33 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.49 and a beta of 1.35. LKQ Co. has a one year low of $46.20 and a one year high of $59.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $54.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.13.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The auto parts company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. LKQ had a return on equity of 18.65% and a net margin of 7.80%. The business had revenue of $3.45 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.46 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that LKQ Co. will post 4 EPS for the current year.

LKQ Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 17th were issued a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 16th. LKQ’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird restated an “outperform” rating and set a $65.00 price target on shares of LKQ in a research report on Monday, August 28th. StockNews.com raised shares of LKQ from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday.

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 automotive glass products, such as windshields; 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.