Headlands Technologies LLC Takes Position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

Key Points

• Headlands Technologies LLC purchased 3,900 shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. for approximately $1,145,000, marking a significant investment in the company during the first quarter.
• Equities analysts show mixed sentiments with Bank of America raising the target price on Lithia Motors to $500, while other firms like Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase lowered theirs, indicating varied expectations for the stock.
• Lithia Motors announced a quarterly dividend of $0.55 to be paid on August 22nd, reflecting a 0.8% dividend yield and demonstrating the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 3,900 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,145,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 1st quarter worth approximately $59,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 63.7% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the company's stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 30.1% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 212 shares of the company's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Lithia Motors by 50.9% in 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 last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the 4th quarter worth approximately $202,000.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lithia Motors news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 256 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 directly owned 1,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $403,236.80. This represents a 15.69% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $430.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, June 16th. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $378.00 to $383.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $376.60.

Lithia Motors Price Performance

LAD stock traded down $0.61 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $292.21. The company had a trading volume of 253,263 shares, compared to its average volume of 390,020. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 0.29. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $255.32 and a 1 year high of $405.67. The company has a market capitalization of $7.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.30. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $323.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $320.84.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $9.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.56 billion. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.39% and a return on equity of 13.21%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio is 6.52%.

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.