GAMMA Investing LLC Has $21.71 Million Stake in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 44,194.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 73,972 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 73,805 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC owned 0.28% of Lithia Motors worth $21,714,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the fourth quarter worth $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 33.9% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the company's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in Lithia Motors by 1,420.0% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 152 shares of the company's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 48.5% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 297 shares of the company's stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

Lithia Motors stock traded up $4.07 on Friday, hitting $321.43. The company's stock had a trading volume of 194,805 shares, compared to its average volume of 314,484. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a one year low of $243.04 and a one year high of $405.68. The firm has a market cap of $8.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $301.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $334.37.

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

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a $0.55 dividend. 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 0.68%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.93%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on LAD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $400.00 price objective on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Evercore ISI upped their target price 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. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of 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 report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $362.40.

Insider Transactions at Lithia Motors

In other Lithia Motors news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 248 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.84, for a total value of $72,128.32. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,297 shares in the company, valued at $377,219.48. This represents a 16.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $298.80, for a total transaction of $80,676.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,213 shares in the company, valued at $362,444.40. This represents a 18.21% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 855 shares of company stock valued at $252,536. Corporate insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

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.