Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Stake Increased by Advent International L.P.

Advent International L.P. grew its holdings in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 52.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 217,151 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 75,151 shares during the period. Lithia Motors comprises 1.8% of Advent International L.P.'s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Advent International L.P. owned about 0.82% of Lithia Motors worth $77,616,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $217,000. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Lithia Motors by 19.8% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,927 shares of the company's stock worth $1,247,000 after buying an additional 648 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in Lithia Motors by 2.4% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 95,899 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,585,000 after buying an additional 2,261 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in Lithia Motors by 46.9% in the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 75,984 shares of the company's stock valued at $24,136,000 after buying an additional 24,258 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 17.0% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 259,916 shares of the company's stock worth $82,560,000 after acquiring an additional 37,677 shares during the period.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on LAD shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 21st. Guggenheim reduced their target price on Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $400.00 price target on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $361.20.

Insider Transactions at Lithia Motors

In other news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.80, for a total value of $80,676.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,213 shares in the company, valued at $362,444.40. This trade represents a 18.21 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total value of $99,731.78. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $482,974.08. This represents a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,583 shares of company stock worth $533,455. Corporate insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Lithia Motors Price Performance

LAD stock traded up $2.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $296.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 320,521 shares, compared to its average volume of 315,578. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $243.04 and a fifty-two week high of $405.68. The stock has a market cap of $7.71 billion, a PE ratio of 9.98, a P/E/G ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company's 50 day moving average is $299.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $340.44.

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

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.74%. This is an increase from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.93%.

Lithia Motors Profile

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.