SG Americas Securities LLC Grows Stake in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 404.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,171 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,145 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC's holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $1,518,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LAD. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Lithia Motors during the 4th quarter valued at $152,752,000. Egerton Capital UK LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the fourth quarter valued at $113,250,000. Steadfast Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 137.8% in the 4th quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP now owns 460,298 shares of the company's stock worth $164,524,000 after acquiring an additional 266,715 shares during the last quarter. Madison Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter worth about $91,190,000. Finally, Advent International L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Advent International L.P. now owns 217,151 shares of the company's stock worth $77,616,000 after purchasing an additional 75,151 shares during the period.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total transaction of $99,731.78. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $482,974.08. This trade represents a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LAD has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated 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. Citigroup raised Lithia Motors from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $415.00 to $375.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Lithia Motors from $430.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $400.00 target price on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $379.40.

Lithia Motors Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of LAD traded down $5.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $326.68. 164,136 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 312,631. The company has a market capitalization of $8.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.52, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $243.04 and a 52 week high of $405.68. The company's 50 day moving average is $307.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $331.30.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $7.77 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.19 billion. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 12.74% and a net margin of 2.30%. The firm's revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.11 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.67%. This is a positive change from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.93%.

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.