Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $361.20.

LAD has been the topic of several recent research reports. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $400.00 price objective on shares of Lithia Motors in a research report on Thursday, February 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Lithia Motors from $385.00 to $328.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. 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 report on Monday, April 21st. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup upgraded 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.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithia Motors

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Lithia Motors by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 780 shares of the company's stock valued at $279,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Lithia Motors by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,421 shares of the company's stock worth $711,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 33.9% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the company's stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 700 shares of the company's stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 5.1% during the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 863 shares of the company's stock valued at $308,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE LAD traded up $2.98 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $317.23. 347,933 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 317,895. The stock has a market cap of $8.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.69, a PEG ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.28. Lithia Motors has a 1-year low of $243.04 and a 1-year high of $405.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $299.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $336.00.

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

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a $0.55 dividend. This is an increase from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.69%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio 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.