Smart Money Is Buying LKQ Corp (LKQ)
Monday, June 22, 2026 · Johnny Hopkins
According to the most recent reported 13F filings, institutional investors continued to show notable buying interest in LKQ Corp (LKQ), with several respected value investors, quantitative managers, and hedge funds increasing their positions during the quarter. The accumulation comes as LKQ continues to benefit from its leading position in the automotive replacement parts market, resilient cash flow generation, ongoing share repurchases, and steady demand across its North American and European operations.
Below are the most notable buyers from the latest reported quarter:
Rich Pzena
Shares: 6,232,900 Change: +1,850,727 Value: $0.18B
Rich Pzena’s firm recorded the largest increase among tracked investors, adding more than 1.85 million shares during the quarter. The sizable purchase reflects Pzena’s value-oriented approach and suggests growing confidence that LKQ remains undervalued relative to its earnings power and cash flow generation.
Joel Greenblatt
Shares: 290,387 Change: +212,715 Value: $0.01B
Gotham Asset Management significantly expanded its LKQ position during the quarter. The addition is consistent with Greenblatt’s quantitative value strategy, which seeks businesses trading at attractive valuations while generating strong returns on capital.
Cliff Asness
Shares: 839,081 Change: +212,493 Value: $0.02B
AQR Capital Management increased its LKQ stake by more than 212,000 shares. The purchase reflects continued institutional interest in LKQ’s combination of steady earnings, disciplined capital allocation, and shareholder-friendly buyback program.
Jeremy Grantham
Shares: 109,851 Change: +44,350 Value: $0.00B
Jeremy Grantham’s GMO modestly increased its position during the quarter. The addition suggests the firm sees attractive long-term value in LKQ despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the broader economic environment.
Ray Dalio
Shares: 248,668 Change: +42,486 Value: $0.01B
Bridgewater Associates added to its LKQ holdings during the quarter. The increase may reflect confidence in the company’s defensive business model and its ability to generate consistent cash flows throughout economic cycles.
Steve Cohen
Shares: 528,707 New Position Value: $0.02B
Steve Cohen initiated a new position in LKQ during the quarter. The new stake adds another prominent hedge fund manager to LKQ’s shareholder base and may reflect optimism regarding the company’s earnings outlook and attractive valuation.
Mario Gabelli
Shares: 35,300 New Position Value: $0.00B
Mario Gabelli also established a new position during the quarter. While relatively small, the investment is notable given Gabelli’s long history of identifying undervalued industrial and automotive-related businesses.
Tweedy, Browne
Shares: 42,646 New Position Value: $0.00B
Tweedy, Browne initiated a new position in LKQ during the quarter. The purchase aligns with the firm’s disciplined value investing philosophy and focus on companies trading below intrinsic value.
Overall Takeaway
Collectively, these filings highlight broad-based institutional accumulation of LKQ shares. The largest additions came from Rich Pzena’s Pzena Investment Management, Gotham Asset Management, AQR Capital Management, and GMO, while Point72, GAMCO Investors, and Tweedy, Browne all initiated new positions.
The concentration of buying among value-oriented investors, quantitative firms, and hedge funds suggests continued confidence that LKQ remains attractively valued relative to its long-term earnings and cash flow potential. With a leading market position in automotive replacement parts, strong free cash flow generation, ongoing share repurchases, and a history of disciplined acquisitions, LKQ continues to attract significant institutional capital.