With a market cap of $9.7 billion, LKQ Corporation (LKQ) is a leading global distributor of vehicle replacement parts, components, and systems used in the repair and maintenance of automobiles and specialty vehicles. It operates through four segments: Wholesale-North America; Europe; Specialty; and Self Service, serving professional repair shops, dealerships, and retail customers.
Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as “large-cap” stocks, and LKQ fits this criterion perfectly. LKQ offers a wide range of products, including recycled and aftermarket parts, remanufactured engines, and specialty accessories, across North America and Europe.
Shares of the Antioch, Tennessee-based company have pulled back 19.3% from its 52-week high of $46.64. LKQ’s shares have fallen nearly 8% over the past three months, underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 5.6% gain over the same time frame.
In the longer term, LKQ stock is up 2.5% on a YTD basis, lagging behind SPX’s 3.6% rise. Moreover, shares of the auto parts distributor have decreased 10.3% over the past 52 weeks, compared to the 11.8% return of the SPX over the same time frame.
The stock has been trading below its 50-day moving average since late May.
Shares of LKQ tumbled 11.6% on Apr. 24 primarily due to disappointing Q1 2025 results. The company reported revenue of $3.5 billion, a 6.5% year-over-year decline and below analysts' expectations, while adjusted EPS came in at $0.79, flat year-over-year and in line with estimates. Elevated insurance premiums and rising repair costs have reduced repairable insurance claims, weakening demand for LKQ’s spare parts, while its specialty vehicle segment also struggled due to declining consumer discretionary spending.
In comparison, rival AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) has outpaced LKQ stock. AZO stock has gained 11.7% on a YTD basis and 19.8% over the past 52 weeks.
Despite the stock’s underperformance, analysts remain bullish on LKQ. The stock has a consensus rating of “Strong Buy” from the seven analysts covering the stock, and as of writing, it is trading below the mean price target of $53.
On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
