Insider Selling: Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Insider Sells 325 Shares of Stock

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) 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 transaction of $126,054.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,665 shares in the company, valued at $645,786.90. This trade represents a 16.33 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Lithia Motors Price Performance

Shares of Lithia Motors stock opened at $380.41 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.90 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 1.18. The company has a fifty day moving average of $363.40 and a 200-day moving average of $335.78. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52-week low of $243.00 and a 52-week high of $405.67.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $7.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.33 by $0.46. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.31% and a return on equity of 12.95%. Equities research analysts expect that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 29.23 EPS for the current year.

Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.56%. Lithia Motors’s payout ratio is currently 7.14%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lithia Motors

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Lithia Motors during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in Lithia Motors by 69.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 124 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Lithia Motors by 1,420.0% in the 4th 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.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LAD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Lithia Motors from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $346.00 to $397.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $405.00 to $400.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $360.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $400.00 price target on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $362.50.

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.