Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Stock Position Lowered by Chicago Capital LLC

Chicago Capital LLC trimmed its position in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 213,698 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,404 shares during the period. Lithia Motors accounts for 2.0% of Chicago Capital LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Chicago Capital LLC owned 0.80% of Lithia Motors worth $76,382,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the fourth quarter valued at $207,000. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at about $223,000. KBC Group NV lifted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 35.4% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,051 shares of the company’s stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 48.5% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 297 shares of the company’s stock worth $106,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. grew its position in Lithia Motors by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 767 shares of the company’s stock valued at $274,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Tina Miller sold 1,000 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $392.72, for a total transaction of $392,720.00. Following the sale, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Gary M. Glandon sold 242 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $382.86, for a total value of $92,652.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,729 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $661,964.94. The trade was a 12.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 38,770 shares of company stock valued at $15,103,607. Insiders own 1.79% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $343.00 to $346.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Benchmark assumed coverage on Lithia Motors in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $400.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded Lithia Motors from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Guggenheim increased their price objective on Lithia Motors from $380.00 to $418.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Stephens lifted their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $360.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lithia Motors has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $357.40.

Lithia Motors Stock Down 1.4 %

Lithia Motors stock opened at $376.19 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $10.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.84, a P/E/G ratio of 4.82 and a beta of 1.67. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $365.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $327.59. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $243.00 and a fifty-two week high of $405.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.27.

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.