Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Holdings Lifted by Stephens Inc. AR

Stephens Inc. AR increased its position in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 127.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,567 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 878 shares during the quarter. Stephens Inc. AR's holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $460,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $59,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 63.7% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the company's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $202,000.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

NYSE:LAD traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $307.42. 358,716 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 312,044. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $328.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $326.11. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $247.01 and a 52 week high of $405.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.46.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 company had revenue of $9.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 for the quarter was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.11 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. This is a boost from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors's payout ratio is currently 6.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America lifted their price target on Lithia Motors from $430.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Citigroup raised Lithia Motors from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $415.00 to $375.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Lithia Motors in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $340.00 price target for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Lithia Motors from $345.00 to $335.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $382.50.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total transaction of $99,731.78. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $482,974.08. This trade represents a 17.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company 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.