Q1 EPS Estimates for Lithia Motors Boosted by Analyst

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Seaport Res Ptn boosted their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Lithia Motors in a research report issued on Sunday, April 20th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst G. Chin now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $7.71 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $7.30. The consensus estimate for Lithia Motors' current full-year earnings is $34.45 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Lithia Motors' Q2 2025 earnings at $8.28 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $10.23 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $10.25 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $41.68 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. StockNews.com upgraded Lithia Motors from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $400.00 price objective on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $420.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $385.00 to $328.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $356.55.

Lithia Motors Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of LAD traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $292.54. 508,177 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 314,307. The stock has a market cap of $7.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.86, a P/E/G ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.61. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $305.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $340.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Lithia Motors has a twelve month low of $243.00 and a twelve month high of $405.68.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.77 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.21% and a return on equity of 12.43%.

Institutional Trading of Lithia Motors

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Lithia Motors during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 69.9% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 124 shares of the company's stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in Lithia Motors by 33.9% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the company's stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its position 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 Transactions at Lithia Motors

In other news, insider Gary M. Glandon sold 325 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $387.86, for a total value of $126,054.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,665 shares in the company, valued at approximately $645,786.90. This represents a 16.33 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 transaction, the director now owns 1,213 shares of the company's stock, valued at $362,444.40. This trade represents a 18.21 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 1,246 shares of company stock valued at $433,724. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. This is a boost from Lithia Motors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Lithia Motors's dividend payout ratio is currently 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.