Quantbot Technologies LP Invests $3.70 Million in Lithia Motors, Inc. $LAD

Key Points

• Quantbot Technologies LP acquired 12,593 shares of Lithia Motors, Inc., valued at approximately $3.7 million, marking a significant new position for the firm during the first quarter.
• Lithia Motors reported $10.24 earnings per share for the quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations and generating revenue of $9.58 billion, slightly above forecasts.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.55, with an annual yield of 0.7%, set to be paid on August 22nd to investors of record by August 8th.

Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 12,593 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,697,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 780 shares of the company's stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Lithia Motors by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,421 shares of the company's stock worth $711,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its stake in Lithia Motors by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 700 shares of the company's stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC boosted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 1,475 shares of the company's stock valued at $527,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 30.1% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 212 shares of the company's stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the period.

Lithia Motors Trading Up 6.1%

Shares of LAD stock traded up $18.6780 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $326.8080. The company had a trading volume of 318,728 shares, compared to its average volume of 370,567. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.38 billion, a PE ratio of 9.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.30. The company's fifty day moving average is $320.01 and its 200 day moving average is $316.72. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $255.32 and a fifty-two week high of $405.67.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $10.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.78 by $0.46. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 13.21% and a net margin of 2.39%.The firm had revenue of $9.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.56 billion. Research analysts expect that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 8th were paid a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 8th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Lithia Motors's payout ratio is 6.52%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 256 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $293.05, for a total transaction of $75,020.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $403,236.80. The trade was a 15.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LAD has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America raised their price target on Lithia Motors from $430.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Lithia Motors from $378.00 to $383.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $364.00 to $317.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $379.00.

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.