Guardian Wealth Doubles Down on LKQ Stock With $1.8 Million Purchase

Guardian Wealth Management isn’t the type to blink at an opportunity, especially when the odds seem stacked. The firm took a gamble, adding 77,245 shares to its LKQ position during the quarter ending September 30, 2025. A cool $1.83 million was tossed in, and now their stake stands at 159,199 shares, valued at $4.86 million. It’s not a fortune, but it’s a step. A step that could make or break their future.

What Happened

In its quarterly 13F filing, submitted November 14, 2025, Guardian Wealth reported this sizable purchase of LKQ stock. It was no small maneuver-$1.83 million is still a decent pile of cash, even in a market that seems to have forgotten what “growth” means. The new position now makes up 2.87% of the fund’s $169.26 million in U.S. equity holdings. It’s a slice of a much bigger pie, but one with a heavy price tag.

What Else to Know

After the filing, Guardian’s biggest positions didn’t inspire confidence in a future oasis. Their biggest bet, STRL, sits at $11.55 million-6.8% of the AUM. Other significant stakes include ANET and AZO, but none of them are the kind of assets you’d brag about over cocktails. No, these are the kind that sit in the background while you hope for a miracle.

  • NASDAQ: STRL: $11.55 million (6.8% of AUM)
  • NYSE: ANET: $9.98 million (5.9% of AUM)
  • NYSE: AZO: $8.61 million (5.1% of AUM)
  • NYSE: ABBV: $6.98 million (4.1% of AUM)
  • NYSE: NNI: $6.21 million (3.7% of AUM)

But here’s the ugly truth: LKQ’s stock has been on a downward spiral. As of December 5, 2025, it’s priced at $29.45-26% lower than a year ago. If the S&P 500 were a racehorse, LKQ would be the one getting kicked into the dirt, trailing by over 40 percentage points. And don’t let the “recovery” stories fool you-it’s a slow-moving beast, this stock.

Company Overview

Metric Value
Revenue (TTM) $13.96 billion
Net Income (TTM) $697.00 million
Dividend Yield 3.97%
Price (as of market close 2025-12-05) $29.45

Company Snapshot

  • Distributes automotive replacement parts, components, and systems, including body panels, mechanical and collision parts, glass, and specialty vehicle products.
  • Operates a distribution-based business model, sourcing parts from manufacturers and salvage operations, then supplying them to repair shops and dealerships across North America and Europe.
  • Primary customers include collision and mechanical repair shops, new and used car dealerships, and retail consumers seeking automotive parts and accessories.

LKQ isn’t the kind of company that sparkles in the spotlight. It’s a backroom player, distributing recycled and aftermarket parts, mostly to repair shops and the occasional retail consumer. They’ve carved out a niche in North America and Europe. But while they’re busy supplying parts, they’re also trying to keep their own wheels from falling off.

Foolish Take

Guardian Wealth’s move to buy up those 77,000 shares is no act of charity. No, this is cold calculation. They’re doubling down on a stock that’s been more trouble than it’s worth. Over the past three years, LKQ has hemorrhaged 46% of its value. Meanwhile, the S&P 500, that beautiful behemoth, has gained 82%. It’s no secret that LKQ’s stock has been more of a dud than a winner. But could this purchase be the sign of a turnaround? Or is it just another attempt to snatch pennies from a sinking ship?

The buzz surrounding LKQ’s potential sale of its Keystone Automotive division is one of those half-baked hopes. A sale could raise cash and refocus the company’s efforts on its core business. But here’s the problem: the company has been struggling for years. Every time you think they’re about to turn the corner, they slip back into the gutter.

If you’re thinking of following Guardian’s lead, don’t get too excited. LKQ has yet to prove it can rise from the ashes. For now, it’s just another stock that could either make or break you.

Glossary

13-F filing: A quarterly report filed by institutional investment managers to disclose their holdings of U.S. publicly traded securities.

Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm.

Reportable fund assets: The portion of a fund’s assets that must be disclosed in regulatory filings, typically U.S. equity holdings.

Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a company divided by its current share price, shown as a percentage.

Aftermarket parts: Automotive parts made by companies other than the original manufacturer, used for repairs or enhancements.

Distribution-based business model: A business approach focused on sourcing products and delivering them to customers, rather than manufacturing.

Salvage operations: Businesses that recover and resell usable parts from vehicles that are no longer in service.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

So, there you have it. Another stock, another story. If you’re still in the game, stay sharp. The market’s a tricky place, and sometimes the best bet is to know when to fold your hand.

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2025-12-11 01:52