Chicago Capital LLC Lowers Stock Position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

Chicago Capital LLC trimmed its holdings in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 3.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 201,923 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,599 shares during the period. Lithia Motors accounts for approximately 2.4% of Chicago Capital LLC's holdings, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Chicago Capital LLC owned approximately 0.73% of Lithia Motors worth $66,489,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,278 shares of the company's stock worth $262,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. State of Wyoming raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 35.2% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 196 shares of the company's stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 32.0% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 231 shares of the company's stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 17,113 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,054,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the period. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 11,886 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,510,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period.

Lithia Motors Stock Down 3.8 %

LAD stock traded down $11.20 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $284.57. The stock had a trading volume of 256,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 195,792. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 1-year low of $205.97 and a 1-year high of $331.96. The company has a fifty day moving average of $294.47 and a 200 day moving average of $286.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.84, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.58.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported $8.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $8.11 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $7.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 17.33% and a net margin of 3.22%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $9.05 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 35.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Saturday, March 9th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.70%. Lithia Motors's payout ratio is 5.51%.

Insider Activity at Lithia Motors

In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 135 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.84, for a total transaction of $40,208.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,662 shares in the company, valued at approximately $495,010.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on LAD. StockNews.com downgraded Lithia Motors from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 26th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $375.00 price objective on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Lithia Motors from $300.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Lithia Motors from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $400.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Lithia Motors has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $336.40.

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.