LPL Financial LLC Acquires 3,851 Shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. $LAD

Key Points

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LPL Financial LLC increased its position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 95.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,900 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,851 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC's holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $2,319,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. Steadfast Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 137.8% during the 4th quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP now owns 460,298 shares of the company's stock valued at $164,524,000 after buying an additional 266,715 shares in the last quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 280,456 shares of the company's stock valued at $82,325,000 after acquiring an additional 25,331 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in Lithia Motors by 30.1% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 256,979 shares of the company's stock worth $91,852,000 after acquiring an additional 59,525 shares in the last quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Lithia Motors by 5.0% during the first quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 241,420 shares of the company's stock worth $70,866,000 after acquiring an additional 11,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advent International L.P. grew its holdings in Lithia Motors by 52.9% in the fourth 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 256 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $293.05, for a total transaction of $75,020.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $403,236.80. This represents a 15.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

LAD traded up $1.5450 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $308.2450. 350,139 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 339,146. The company's 50-day moving average is $320.35 and its 200 day moving average is $317.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.90 billion, a PE ratio of 9.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 1.30. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $255.32 and a 52 week high of $405.67.

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

Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LAD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $364.00 to $317.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Lithia Motors from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Lithia Motors from $430.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Lithia Motors in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their price target on Lithia Motors from $383.00 to $380.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 11th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $379.00.

Lithia Motors Company 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.