Analysts Set Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Target Price at $382.33

Shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) have earned an average rating of “Hold” from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $382.3333.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on LAD. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $390.00 to $380.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Wall Street Zen cut Lithia Motors from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Lithia Motors from $358.00 to $355.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Lithia Motors from $399.00 to $366.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithia Motors

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors during the third quarter worth $26,000. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the third quarter worth $31,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 111.4% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 93 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 75.0% during the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 105 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE LAD opened at $249.74 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.77, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.20. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $288.82 and its 200 day moving average is $309.95. Lithia Motors has a 52 week low of $239.78 and a 52 week high of $360.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 1.17.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $6.74 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $8.09 by ($1.35). Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 12.76% and a net margin of 2.18%.The firm had revenue of $9.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.79 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Lithia Motors will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th were paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 6th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Lithia Motors’s payout ratio is presently 6.85%.

Lithia Motors Company Profile

Lithia Motors, Inc is an American automotive retailer headquartered in Medford, Oregon. Founded in 1946 as a small auto body and glass shop, the company has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to become one of the largest automotive retail networks in North America. Lithia operates dealerships across the United States and Canada, offering a broad portfolio of new and pre-owned vehicles from more than 40 different manufacturers.

The company’s core business activities include vehicle sales, financing, insurance, parts and service.