LKQ vs. GPC: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?
Investors with an interest in Automotive - Replacement Parts stocks have likely encountered both LKQ (LKQ) and Genuine Parts (GPC). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.
We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.
Right now, LKQ is sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), while Genuine Parts has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that LKQ has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.
Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.
The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.
LKQ currently has a forward P/E ratio of 14.15, while GPC has a forward P/E of 16.19. We also note that LKQ has a PEG ratio of 0.94. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. GPC currently has a PEG ratio of 2.44.
Another notable valuation metric for LKQ is its P/B ratio of 2.25. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, GPC has a P/B of 3.77.
These metrics, and several others, help LKQ earn a Value grade of B, while GPC has been given a Value grade of C.
LKQ stands above GPC thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that LKQ is the superior value option right now.
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LKQ Corporation (LKQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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