Liquidity Services (NASDAQ:LQDT) Hits New 1-Year High - Here's Why

Key Points

• Liquidity Services reached a new 52-week high, trading around $45.22 and up 0.5%; its market capitalization was approximately $1.41 billion.
• The company’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with earnings per share of $0.45 versus the $0.34 consensus and revenue of $129.58 million versus $57.83 million expected.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $50, while institutional investors own 71.15% of the stock; insiders have recently sold a small number of shares.

Shares of Liquidity Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:LQDT - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday. The stock traded as high as $45.00 and last traded at $45.2210, with a volume of 162 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $44.85.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on LQDT. Zacks Research cut shares of Liquidity Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Barrington Research set a $50.00 price target on shares of Liquidity Services in a report on Friday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings raised Liquidity Services from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Liquidity Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Sunday, August 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $50.00.

Liquidity Services Stock Up 0.5%

The stock's 50-day moving average price is $42.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $39.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.94 and a beta of 1.04.

Liquidity Services (NASDAQ:LQDT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The business services provider reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $129.58 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $57.83 million. Liquidity Services had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 6.79%. Liquidity Services has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.410-0.500 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Liquidity Services, Inc. will post 1.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP John Daunt sold 715 shares of Liquidity Services stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.75, for a total value of $30,566.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 38,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,628,176.50. This trade represents a 1.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold 2,145 shares of company stock valued at $87,959 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 28.06% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Liquidity Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in Liquidity Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $140,508,000. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Liquidity Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,349,000. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC bought a new stake in shares of Liquidity Services in the second quarter valued at about $23,804,000. Willis Investment Counsel raised its position in Liquidity Services by 9.8% in the third quarter. Willis Investment Counsel now owns 212,377 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $9,096,000 after purchasing an additional 18,936 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Access Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Liquidity Services by 24.6% in the first quarter. Access Investment Management LLC now owns 200,170 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $6,119,000 after acquiring an additional 39,545 shares during the last quarter. 71.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Liquidity Services Company Profile

Liquidity Services, Inc operates online marketplaces and related services for buying and selling surplus, returned, and otherwise excess assets. The company connects governments, businesses, and other organizations with buyers seeking products ranging from consumer goods and industrial equipment to vehicles, heavy machinery, and other capital assets.

Its platforms include GovDeals, which serves public-sector sellers; Liquidation.com, which facilitates the sale of surplus and returned inventory; and Machinio, a marketplace focused on used equipment.

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