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

Chicago Capital LLC trimmed its position in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 213,698 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,404 shares during the quarter. Lithia Motors accounts for approximately 2.0% of Chicago Capital LLC's holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Chicago Capital LLC owned about 0.80% of Lithia Motors worth $76,382,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versor Investments LP grew its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 856 shares of the company's stock worth $272,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Lithia Motors by 17.0% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 259,916 shares of the company's stock valued at $82,560,000 after acquiring an additional 37,677 shares in the last quarter. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lithia Motors during the 3rd quarter valued at $731,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth $248,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 95,899 shares of the company's stock worth $29,585,000 after purchasing an additional 2,261 shares during the period.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Lithia Motors from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Stephens increased their target price on Lithia Motors from $360.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Lithia Motors from $343.00 to $346.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Lithia Motors from $405.00 to $400.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a "buy" rating and a $400.00 target price on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $357.40.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

Shares of Lithia Motors stock traded down $2.04 during trading on Thursday, hitting $381.18. 177,037 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 408,739. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $243.00 and a 1 year high of $405.67. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $364.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $329.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.01, a PEG ratio of 4.82 and a beta of 1.67.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Tina Miller sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $392.72, for a total value of $392,720.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 10,403 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,085,466.16. This trade represents a 8.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Bryan B. Deboer sold 3,313 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $380.00, for a total transaction of $1,258,940.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 192,814 shares in the company, valued at $73,269,320. This represents a 1.69 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 38,770 shares of company stock valued at $15,103,607 in the last 90 days. 1.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.