Q2 EPS Estimates for Lithia Motors Reduced by Zacks Research

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2025 EPS estimates for shares of Lithia Motors in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, May 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $8.61 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $9.18. The consensus estimate for Lithia Motors' current full-year earnings is $34.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Lithia Motors' Q1 2026 earnings at $8.61 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $8.97 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $8.96 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.96 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $35.50 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $10.21 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $42.82 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Lithia Motors from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Guggenheim cut their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $361.20.

Lithia Motors Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of LAD stock traded up $4.47 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $326.26. The company's stock had a trading volume of 221,466 shares, compared to its average volume of 315,452. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.99, a P/E/G ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.48. Lithia Motors has a one year low of $243.04 and a one year high of $405.68. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $295.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $339.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.77 by ($0.11). Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 12.43% and a net margin of 2.21%. The company had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.11 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lithia Motors

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in LAD. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in Lithia Motors by 69.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 124 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 33.9% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the company's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 1,420.0% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 152 shares of the company's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares in the last quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lithia Motors news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $362,444.40. This trade represents a 18.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 337 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $295.94, for a total transaction of $99,731.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,632 shares in the company, valued at $482,974.08. This represents a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,583 shares of company stock valued at $533,455 over the last quarter. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. This is a positive change from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.67%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio is presently 6.93%.

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.