LKQ Corporation Announces Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024
Fourth quarter revenue of $3.4 billion; annual revenue of $14.4 billion
Fourth quarter organic revenue for parts and services decreased 3.6%; annual decreased 2.2%
Fourth quarter diluted EPS2 of $0.60; fourth quarter adjusted diluted EPS1,2 of $0.80
Annual diluted EPS2 of $2.62; annual adjusted diluted EPS1,2 of $3.48
Annual operating cash flow of $1.1 billion; free cash flow1 of $0.8 billion
Repurchased $80 million of LKQ shares in the fourth quarter of 2024
Exceeded commitment of returning 50% FCF to shareholders by returning over 80% in 2024 through share repurchases ($360 million) and cash dividends ($318 million)
2025 outlook provided
Antioch, TENN -- LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results. “The LKQ team focused on our core strengths to manage difficult market conditions in 2024 and position the Company for greater success in the future. I am proud of the team’s strong finish. Specifically, our Europe segment achieved an EBITDA margin of 10.1% in the quarter, which is a record for the segment in the fourth quarter. This was the third consecutive quarter the Europe segment attained double-digit EBITDA margins, and the Europe segment achieved its highest level of EBITDA dollars for a full year in 2024,” stated Justin Jude, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We will continue to emphasize portfolio simplification, operational excellence and profitable growth to deliver long-term value to our shareholders.”
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results
Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $3.4 billion, a decrease of 4.1% compared to $3.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Parts and services organic revenue decreased 3.6% (4.5% decrease on a per day basis), the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures decreased revenue by 0.7%, and foreign exchange rates decreased revenue by 0.3% year over year, for a total parts and services revenue decrease of 4.5%. Other revenue grew 6.2% primarily due to higher commodities volumes, partially offset by lower scrap steel prices relative to the same period in 2023.
Net income2 for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $156 million compared to $184 million for the same period of 2023. Diluted earnings per share2 was $0.60 compared to $0.69 for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 13.0%.
On an adjusted basis, net income1,2 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $207 million compared to $226 million for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 8.4%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share1,2 was $0.80 compared to $0.84 for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 4.8%.
Revenue for the full year of 2024 was $14.4 billion, an increase of 3.5% compared to $13.9 billion for the full year of 2023. Parts and services organic revenue decreased 2.2% (2.8% decrease on a per day basis), the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures increased revenue by 6.3%, and foreign exchange rates increased revenue by 0.1% year over year, for a total parts and services revenue increase of 4.1%. Other revenue fell 7.8% primarily due to lower commodities prices and volumes relative to 2023.
Net income2 for the full year of 2024 was $690 million compared to $942 million for the same period of 2023. Diluted earnings per share2 was $2.62 compared to $3.51 for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 25.4%.
On an adjusted basis, net income1,2 for the full year of 2024 was $918 million compared to $1,027 million for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 10.6%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share1,2 was $3.48 compared to $3.83 for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 9.1%.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Cash flow from operations and free cash flow1 were $1.1 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, for the full year of 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the balance sheet reflected total debt of $4.2 billion and total leverage, as defined in our credit facility, was 2.3x EBITDA.
Stock Repurchase and Dividend Programs
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company returned over $150 million to its shareholders by investing approximately $80 million to repurchase 2.1 million shares of its common stock and distributing $78 million in cash dividends. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company returned $678 million to its shareholders by investing approximately $360 million to repurchase 8.6 million shares of its common stock and distributing $318 million in cash dividends. Since initiating the stock repurchase program in late October 2018, the Company has repurchased approximately 65 million shares for a total of $2.8 billion through December 31, 2024. An aggregate balance of $1.7 billion remains for potential additional repurchases through October 25, 2026. On February 18, 2025, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock, payable on March 27, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2025.
Other Events
On December 11, 2024, the Company announced the appointment of independent director James S. Metcalf to its Board of Directors. On February 6, 2025, the Company announced the appointment of two additional independent directors, Sue Gove and Michael Powell, to its Board of Directors and the formation of a Finance Committee, which will make recommendations to the Board relating to the Company’s capital allocation strategy and business portfolio.
The Company has also announced that Blythe McGarvie and Dominick Zarcone have decided not to stand for re-election and will retire from the Board of Directors when their terms expire in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting.
2025 Outlook
“Our 2025 guidance reflects expectations that are aligned with current market conditions as we continue to drive our operational excellence and lean management initiatives in the midst of the industry recovery. As I discussed at our investor day last September, we are committed to delivering above market revenue growth, margin improvement, strong free cash flow generation and returns on invested capital over the long term,” stated Rick Galloway, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
For 2025, management is anticipating the following outlook as set forth below:
| 2025 Full Year Outlook |
Organic revenue growth for parts and services | 0% to 2% |
Diluted EPS2 | $2.91 to $3.21 |
Adjusted diluted EPS1,2 | $3.40 to $3.70 |
Operating cash flow | $1.075 to $1.275 billion |
Free cash flow1 | $0.75 to $0.90 billion |
Our outlook for the full year 2025 is based on current conditions, recent trends and our expectations, and assumes a global effective tax rate of 27.0% and the prices of scrap and precious metals hold near the fourth quarter of 2024 average. We have applied foreign currency exchange rates near recent average levels, including $1.04, $1.25 and $0.70 for the euro, pound sterling and Canadian dollar, respectively, for the year. Changes in these conditions may impact our ability to achieve the estimates. Adjusted figures exclude (to the extent applicable) the impact of restructuring and transaction related expenses; amortization expense related to acquired intangibles; excess tax benefits and deficiencies from stock-based payments; losses on debt extinguishment; impairment charges; and gains and losses related to acquisitions or divestitures (including changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release contains (and management’s presentation on the related investor conference call will refer to) non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Included with this release are reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.
About LKQ Corporation
LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of OEM recycled and aftermarket parts, replacement systems, components, equipment, and services to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.
About LKQ Europe
LKQ Europe, a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com), headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, is the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans, and industrial vehicles in Europe. It currently employs approximately 27,500 people with a network of more than 1,000 branches and approximately $6.3 billion in revenue in 2023. The organization supplies more than 100,000 workshops in over 18 European countries in the following regions: Benelux-France, Central Eastern Europe, DACH, Italy, Scandinavia and UK & Ireland.
(1) Non-GAAP measure. Refer to the table accompanying this release that reconciles the actual or forecasted U.S. GAAP measure to the actual or forecasted adjusted measure, which is non-GAAP.
(2) References in this release to Net income and Diluted earnings per share, and the corresponding adjusted figures, reflect amounts from continuing operations attributable to LKQ stockholders.
Investor Relations Contact
Joseph P. Boutross
Vice President, Investor Relations
LKQ Corporation
T +1 312 621-2793
E jpboutross@lkqcorp.com
Media Contact Europe
LKQ Europe Communications
E lkqeurope@citypress.co.uk
