Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Buys 27,035 Shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,194,539 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 27,035 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 4.48% of Lithia Motors worth $426,968,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on LAD. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $385.00 to $328.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Citigroup raised Lithia Motors from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $415.00 to $375.00 in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Lithia Motors from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $356.55.

Lithia Motors Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of LAD traded up $1.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $293.45. 147,648 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 312,891. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a 50-day moving average of $306.73 and a 200-day moving average of $340.59. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $243.00 and a fifty-two week high of $405.68.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last announced 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). The company had revenue of $9.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.19 billion. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.21% and a return on equity of 12.43%. On average, research analysts expect that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 EPS for the current year.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This is a positive change from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.93%.

Insider Transactions at Lithia Motors

In related news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now owns 1,213 shares in the company, valued at approximately $362,444.40. This represents a 18.21 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 248 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.84, for a total value of $72,128.32. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,297 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $377,219.48. This trade represents a 16.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,246 shares of company stock worth $433,724 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Lithia Motors Company 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.