4,005 Shares in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Bought by Redwood Investment Management LLC

Redwood Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 4,005 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,432,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. Norges Bank bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the fourth quarter worth about $152,752,000. Egerton Capital UK LLP purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the 4th quarter worth approximately $113,250,000. Madison Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter worth approximately $91,190,000. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,505,000. Finally, Advent International L.P. boosted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 52.9% during the fourth quarter. Advent International L.P. now owns 217,151 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,616,000 after purchasing an additional 75,151 shares in the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

LAD traded down $1.53 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $322.05. 328,245 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 315,210. The company's 50-day moving average is $297.42 and its 200 day moving average is $339.30. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $243.04 and a 52 week high of $405.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.38 billion, a PE ratio of 10.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.77 by ($0.11). Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 12.43% and a net margin of 2.21%. The company had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.11 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 EPS for the current year.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. This is an increase from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.93%.

Insider Activity at Lithia Motors

In other Lithia Motors news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total transaction of $99,731.78. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,632 shares in the company, valued at $482,974.08. The trade was a 17.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $298.80, for a total transaction of $80,676.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,213 shares of the company's stock, valued at $362,444.40. The trade was a 18.21% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 855 shares of company stock worth $252,536. 0.87% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LAD has been the subject of a number of research reports. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Lithia Motors from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $385.00 to $328.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Citigroup raised shares of Lithia Motors from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $415.00 to $375.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $400.00 price objective on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $361.20.

About Lithia Motors

Lithia Motors, Inc operates as an automotive retailer worldwide. It operates in two segments, Vehicle Operations and Financing Operations. The company's Vehicle Operations segment sells new and used vehicles; provides parts, repair, and maintenance services; vehicle finance; and insurance products. Its Financing Operations segment provides financing to customers buying and leasing retail vehicles.