Sendero Wealth Management LLC Has $4.54 Million Stock Position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

Sendero Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 13.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 15,462 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 1,824 shares during the period. Sendero Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Lithia Motors worth $4,539,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LAD. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Lithia Motors during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake 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 period. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Lithia Motors by 1,420.0% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 152 shares of the company's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Lithia Motors in the 1st quarter valued at $59,000.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.80, for a total transaction of $80,676.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,213 shares of the company's stock, valued at $362,444.40. This trade represents a 18.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total value of $99,731.78. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,632 shares in the company, valued at $482,974.08. The trade was a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 855 shares of company stock valued at $252,536 in the last ninety days. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Lithia Motors Price Performance

Shares of LAD traded up $3.54 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $320.90. The stock had a trading volume of 90,964 shares, compared to its average volume of 314,264. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 1.19. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 12 month low of $243.04 and a 12 month high of $405.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.35 billion, a PE ratio of 10.81, a PEG ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.47. The company's 50-day moving average is $301.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $334.71.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 EPS 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 firm had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.11 earnings per share. Lithia Motors's revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This is an increase from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.93%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Guggenheim dropped their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a research report on Tuesday. They set a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 price objective for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $362.40.

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.