--- ticker: LKQ company: LKQ filing_type: 10-K year_current: 2026 year_prior: 2025 risks_added: 1 risks_removed: 0 risks_modified: 3 risks_unchanged: 34 source: SEC EDGAR url: https://riskdiff.com/lkq/2026-vs-2025/ markdown_url: https://riskdiff.com/lkq/2026-vs-2025/index.md generated: 2026-06-01 --- # LKQ: 10-K Risk Factor Changes 2026 vs 2025 > Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) > Generated: 2026-06-01 > All data extracted directly from official filings. No hallucinated content. ## Summary | Status | Count | |--------|-------| | New risks added | 1 | | Risks removed | 0 | | Risks modified | 3 | | Unchanged | 34 | --- ## New in Current Filing: We cannot assure you that our previously announced review of strategic alternatives will result in any transaction being consummated or any particular outcome being achieved, and speculation and uncertainty regarding the outcome of this review may adversely impact our business. On January 26, 2026, we announced that our Board has initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. As part of the review, the Board is working with its advisors to evaluate the Company's strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of all or a portion of the Company. There can be no assurance this review process will result in any transaction or outcome. Whether the process will result in any transaction, our ability to complete any such transaction, and if the Board decides to pursue one or more transactions, will depend on numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control. Such factors include the interest of potential acquirers or strategic partners in a potential transaction, the value potential acquirers or strategic partners attribute to our businesses, regulatory approvals, market conditions, the expected impact of the transaction on our outstanding indebtedness and financial condition, and industry trends. Potential strategic transactions that require stockholder approval may not be approved by our stockholders or, if required, a counterparty's stockholders. Furthermore, any strategic transaction into which we enter may be delayed or may ultimately not be consummated 25 25 25 as a result of regulatory reviews (which may include domestic and foreign antitrust, foreign direct investment, CFIUS or other regulatory agency reviews) and determinations or other factors. The price of our common stock and outstanding senior notes may be adversely affected if the strategic review process does not result in any transaction or if one or more transactions are consummated on terms that investors view as unfavorable to us. Even if one or more transactions are completed, there can be no assurance that any such transactions will be successful or have a positive effect on stockholder value. Our Board may also determine that no transaction is in the best interest of our stockholders, in which case no transaction will be consummated as a result of the strategic review process. Our financial results and operations (including our ability to refinance our outstanding indebtedness on favorable terms) could be adversely affected by the strategic process and by the uncertainty regarding its outcome. The attention of management and our Board could be diverted from our core business operations as a result of this strategic review process. We have diverted capital and other resources to the process that otherwise could have been used in our business operations, and we expect to continue to do so until the process is completed. We could incur substantial expenses associated with identifying and evaluating potential strategic alternatives, including those related to employee retention payments, equity compensation, severance pay and legal, accounting and financial advisor fees. A considerable portion of these expenses will be incurred regardless of whether a transaction is completed. In addition, the process could lead us to lose or fail to attract, retain and motivate key employees, and to lose or fail to attract customers or business partners. The consummation of a transaction may also cause acceleration of the repayment or redemption dates for our outstanding indebtedness. For example, in certain circumstances we may be required to redeem our senior notes at a premium to face value. Furthermore, it could expose us to litigation. The public announcement of a strategic alternative may also yield a negative impact on operating results if prospective or existing customers, vendors or partners are reluctant to commit to new or renewed contracts. We do not intend to disclose developments or provide updates on the progress or status of the strategic process until our Board deems further disclosure is appropriate or necessary or to the extent required by applicable law. Accordingly, speculation regarding any developments related to the review of strategic alternatives and perceived uncertainties related to the future of our company could cause the price of our common stock and senior notes to fluctuate significantly and could make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain amendments, consents or waivers under our existing debt agreements. If we are unable to mitigate these or other potential risks related to the uncertainty caused by our evaluation of strategic alternatives, it could disrupt our business and adversely impact operating results and financial condition. --- ## Modified: Our effective tax rate could materially increase as a consequence of various factors, including U.S. and/or international tax legislation, applicable interpretations and administrative guidance, our mix of earnings by jurisdiction, and U.S. and foreign jurisdictional audits. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD") released a framework, referred to as Pillar Two, to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% on certain multinational enterprises." - Reworded sentence: "While Pillar Two did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate for 2025, our analysis will continue as the OECD continues to release additional guidance and countries implement legislation." **Prior (2025):** We are a U.S. based multinational company subject to income taxes in the U.S. and a number of foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, we are subject to changes in tax laws in each of these jurisdictions, and such changes could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate and cash flows. On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted legislation commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act (the "IRA"). The IRA contained a number of new provisions the most significant of which are a new Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax and a new Stock Repurchase Excise Tax. In addition, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD") released a framework, referred to as Pillar Two, to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% on certain multinational enterprises. Certain countries have enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar Two framework while several countries are considering or still announcing changes to their tax laws to implement the minimum tax directive. While Pillar Two did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate for 2024, our analysis will continue as the OECD continues to release additional guidance and countries implement legislation. The tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions within which we operate vary. Therefore, our effective tax rate may be adversely affected by changes in the mix of our earnings by jurisdiction. We are also subject to ongoing audits of our income tax returns in various jurisdictions both in the U.S. and internationally. While we believe that our tax positions will be sustained, the outcomes of such audits could result in the assessment of additional taxes, which could adversely impact our cash flows and financial results. **Current (2026):** We are a U.S. based multinational company subject to income taxes in the U.S. and a number of foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, we are subject to changes in tax laws in each of these jurisdictions, and such changes could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate and cash flows. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD") released a framework, referred to as Pillar Two, to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% on certain multinational enterprises. Certain countries have enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar Two framework while several countries are considering or still announcing changes to their tax laws to implement the minimum tax directive. While Pillar Two did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate for 2025, our analysis will continue as the OECD continues to release additional guidance and countries implement legislation. Additionally, on July 4, 2025, new U.S tax legislation was signed into law, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBBA"), which includes significant provisions, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, modifications to the international tax framework and the restoration of favorable tax treatment for certain business provisions. These new provisions take effect starting in 2025 through 2027. The Company has evaluated the OBBBA enacted during the year and estimated its impact on the consolidated financial statements to be immaterial. We will continue to evaluate the full impact of these legislative changes as additional guidance becomes available. The tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions within which we operate vary. Therefore, our effective tax rate may be adversely affected by changes in the mix of our earnings by jurisdiction. We are also subject to ongoing audits of our income tax returns in various jurisdictions both in the U.S. and internationally. While we believe that our tax positions will be sustained, the outcomes of such audits could result in the assessment of additional taxes, which could adversely impact our cash flows and financial results. --- ## Modified: Our senior notes do not impose any limitations on our ability to incur additional debt or protect against certain other types of transactions, and we may incur certain additional indebtedness under our credit agreement and CAD Note. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Although we are subject to our credit agreement and CAD Note for so long as each of those respective agreements remain in effect, the indentures governing the senior notes do not restrict the future incurrence of unsecured indebtedness, guarantees or other obligations." **Prior (2025):** Although we are subject to our credit agreement and CAD Note for so long as each of those respectively remains in effect, the indentures governing the senior notes do not restrict the future incurrence of unsecured indebtedness, guarantees or other obligations. The indentures contain certain limitations on our ability to incur liens on assets and engage in sale and leaseback transactions. However, these limitations are subject to important exceptions. In addition, the indentures do not contain many other restrictions, including certain restrictions contained in our credit agreement, including, without limitation, making investments, prepaying subordinated indebtedness or engaging in transactions with our affiliates. Our credit agreement will permit, subject to specified conditions and limitations, the incurrence of a significant amount of additional indebtedness under the existing agreement. As of December 31, 2024, we would have been able to incur an additional $1,222 million of indebtedness under our credit agreement ($1,336 million of availability reduced by $114 million of amounts outstanding under letters of credit). If we or our subsidiaries incur additional debt, the risks associated with our substantial leverage and the need to service such debt would increase. **Current (2026):** Although we are subject to our credit agreement and CAD Note for so long as each of those respective agreements remain in effect, the indentures governing the senior notes do not restrict the future incurrence of unsecured indebtedness, guarantees or other obligations. The indentures contain certain limitations, including limitations on our ability to incur liens on assets, engage in sale and leaseback transactions, and engage in certain change of control transactions or merge or consolidate with or into other companies. Certain additional restrictions in the indenture governing our Euro Notes (2028) (including restrictions on asset dispositions and restricted payments) are not currently applicable, but will become applicable to us if our Euro Notes (2028) are no longer investment grade. Furthermore, these limitations in our debt agreements are subject to important exceptions. In addition, the indentures do not contain many other restrictions, including certain restrictions contained in our credit agreement and CAD Note, including, without limitation, making investments, prepaying subordinated indebtedness or engaging in transactions with our affiliates. Our credit agreement will permit, subject to specified conditions and limitations, the incurrence of a significant amount of additional indebtedness under the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2025, we would have been able to incur an additional $1,885 million of indebtedness under our credit agreement ($1,999 million of availability reduced by $114 million of amounts outstanding under letters of credit). If we or our subsidiaries incur additional debt, the risks associated with our leverage and the need to service such debt would increase. --- ## Modified: Future public health emergencies could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operation, financial condition and liquidity, the nature and extent of which is highly uncertain. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The global outbreak of the coronavirus significantly increased economic, demand and operational uncertainty." - Reworded sentence: "The extent to which other public health emergencies could impact our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity is highly uncertain and would depend on future developments, including the spread and duration of any such virus and the variants thereof, potential actions taken by governmental authorities and how quickly economic conditions stabilize and recover." **Prior (2025):** The global outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") significantly increased economic, demand and operational uncertainty. Our operations have generally stabilized since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in May 2023, the World Health Organization declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency. However, a resurgence or development of new strains of COVID-19 or any other public health emergencies could result in unpredictable responses by authorities around the world which could negatively impact our global operations, customers and suppliers. Any future pandemics or public health emergencies could reduce demand for our products and/or result in disruptions to our operations, including higher rates of employee absenteeism, and supply chain challenges, which could negatively impact our ability to meet customer demand. The extent to which new strains or variants of COVID-19 or other public health emergencies could impact our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity is highly uncertain and would depend on future developments, including the spread and duration of any such virus and the variants thereof, potential actions taken by governmental authorities and how quickly economic conditions stabilize and recover. **Current (2026):** The global outbreak of the coronavirus significantly increased economic, demand and operational uncertainty. Other public health emergencies could result in unpredictable responses by authorities around the world which could negatively impact our global operations, customers and suppliers. Any future pandemics or public health emergencies could reduce demand for our products and/or result in disruptions to our operations, including higher rates of employee absenteeism, and supply chain challenges, which could negatively impact our ability to meet customer demand. The extent to which other public health emergencies could impact our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity is highly uncertain and would depend on future developments, including the spread and duration of any such virus and the variants thereof, potential actions taken by governmental authorities and how quickly economic conditions stabilize and recover. 15 15 15 --- *Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. Last updated 2026-06-01.*