Traders Purchase Large Volume of Call Options on Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC)

Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) saw some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Traders bought 4,205 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 304% compared to the typical volume of 1,040 call options.

Genuine Parts Trading Up 1.4%

NYSE:GPC opened at $120.74 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $109.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.62 billion, a PE ratio of 482.95 and a beta of 0.63. Genuine Parts has a 12 month low of $90.78 and a 12 month high of $151.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.48.

Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The specialty retailer reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.07. Genuine Parts had a return on equity of 22.59% and a net margin of 0.13%.The company had revenue of $6.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.43 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.10 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Genuine Parts has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.000 EPS. Research analysts predict that Genuine Parts will post 7.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Genuine Parts Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 5th were issued a $1.0625 dividend. This represents a $4.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 5th. Genuine Parts’s dividend payout ratio is currently 1,700.00%.

Genuine Parts News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Genuine Parts this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Genuine Parts beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates, with strong sales growth in its industrial segment helping support the quarter. Genuine Parts Co (GPC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
• Positive Sentiment: The company reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook of $7.50 to $8.00, signaling management confidence in the business despite a mixed macro backdrop. Genuine Parts Company Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Truist raised its price target on GPC to $126 from $124 but kept a Hold rating, suggesting limited near-term conviction. Benzinga report on Truist price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual call-option buying picked up, which can indicate rising trader interest, but it does not confirm a fundamental change in the business.
• Negative Sentiment: Management lowered full-year guidance for 2026 revenue and kept EPS guidance close to Street expectations, which may limit upside if results normalize. Genuine Parts Q2 sales up 6%, full-year EPS guidance lowered

Insider Activity at Genuine Parts

In other news, insider James F. Howe sold 415 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.33, for a total transaction of $43,296.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 25,589 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,669,700.37. This represents a 1.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Genuine Parts

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Investors Research Corp lifted its position in shares of Genuine Parts by 50.5% during the second quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 596 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Butensky & Cohen Financial Security Inc. grew its holdings in Genuine Parts by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Butensky & Cohen Financial Security Inc. now owns 42,166 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $4,975,000 after purchasing an additional 1,907 shares in the last quarter. Tema ETFs LLC lifted its holdings in Genuine Parts by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tema ETFs LLC now owns 5,682 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $670,000 after buying an additional 435 shares in the last quarter. A&I Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Genuine Parts in the 2nd quarter worth $857,000. Finally, Exchange Bank acquired a new position in Genuine Parts in the 2nd quarter worth $210,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.83% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Genuine Parts from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 25th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Genuine Parts in a research note on Wednesday. DA Davidson lifted their price target on shares of Genuine Parts from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Genuine Parts from $124.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Genuine Parts in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $146.88.

About Genuine Parts

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.