Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Shares Purchased by Blueshift Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Blueshift Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Lithia Motors by 237.5% during Q1, now owning 2,052 shares valued at $602,000.
• Several institutional investors have adjusted their positions, with UMB Bank increasing its holdings by 63.7% and CWM LLC by 30.1% during the same period.
• Lithia Motors announced a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share, representing a 0.8% dividend yield and set to be paid on August 22nd.

Blueshift Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 237.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,052 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,444 shares during the period. Blueshift Asset Management LLC's holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $602,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Lithia Motors by 118.1% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,841 shares of the company's stock valued at $541,000 after purchasing an additional 997 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,421 shares of the company's stock valued at $711,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 780 shares of the company's stock valued at $279,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 50.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 252 shares of the company's stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 12.1% during the 1st quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,178 shares of the company's stock valued at $346,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the period.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LAD. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Lithia Motors in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Lithia Motors from $364.00 to $317.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup raised Lithia Motors from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $415.00 to $375.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Lithia Motors from $345.00 to $335.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their target price on Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $377.80.

Lithia Motors Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:LAD traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $287.76. 523,222 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 336,332. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $255.32 and a 1 year high of $405.67. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $325.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $322.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 0.31.

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

Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Lithia Motors's payout ratio is presently 6.52%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 256 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $293.05, for a total value of $75,020.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 1,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

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.