Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) Trading Up 13% – Time to Buy?

Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) shot up 13% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $132.59 and last traded at $132.6380. Approximately 2,374,089 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 40% from the average session volume of 1,697,309 shares. The stock had previously closed at $117.40.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on GPC shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Genuine Parts from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 25th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on Genuine Parts from $127.00 to $124.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. DA Davidson began coverage on Genuine Parts in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. They set a “strong-buy” rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on Genuine Parts from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Genuine Parts in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $143.88.

Genuine Parts Stock Up 12.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $103.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $115.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 308.66 and a beta of 0.63.

Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The specialty retailer reported $1.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.02. Genuine Parts had a return on equity of 22.28% and a net margin of 0.24%.The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.75 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Genuine Parts has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.000 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Genuine Parts Company will post 7.69 EPS for the current year.

Genuine Parts Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 5th will be given a $1.0625 dividend. This represents a $4.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 5th. Genuine Parts’s dividend payout ratio is currently 988.37%.

Insider Activity at Genuine Parts

In related news, insider James F. Howe sold 415 shares of Genuine Parts stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.33, for a total transaction of $43,296.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 25,589 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,669,700.37. This trade represents a 1.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Genuine Parts

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Community Bank N.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Genuine Parts during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Strive Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Genuine Parts during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Genuine Parts during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. WPG Advisers LLC raised its holdings in Genuine Parts by 213.0% in the 4th quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 241 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC purchased a new position in Genuine Parts during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 78.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Genuine Parts Company Profile

Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) is a global distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and business products with a history dating back to 1928. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company operates a broad distribution network and retail presence serving repair shops, independent retailers, industrial customers and commercial accounts. Its business model centers on stocking and delivering a wide range of parts and supplies to support aftermarket and maintenance needs across multiple end markets.

Genuine Parts conducts its operations through several well-known operating groups and subsidiaries.