New York Life Investment Management LLC Purchases 193 Shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD)

New York Life Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) by 6.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,062 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. New York Life Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $1,008,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Lithia Motors by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,807,407 shares of the company’s stock worth $829,112,000 after purchasing an additional 10,649 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 678,611 shares of the company’s stock valued at $200,414,000 after acquiring an additional 2,200 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Lithia Motors by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 492,273 shares of the company’s stock worth $145,383,000 after acquiring an additional 45,977 shares in the last quarter. Eventide Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Lithia Motors by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Eventide Asset Management LLC now owns 247,514 shares of the company’s stock worth $73,098,000 after acquiring an additional 3,234 shares during the period. Finally, Kennedy Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Lithia Motors by 0.4% during the third quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 126,063 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,230,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares in the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE LAD opened at $263.46 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $278.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $283.21. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a one year low of $207.08 and a one year high of $331.96. The company has a market capitalization of $7.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 1.17.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The company reported $6.11 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.85 by ($1.74). Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.87% and a return on equity of 15.62%. The business had revenue of $8.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $8.44 EPS. Lithia Motors’s revenue for the quarter was up 22.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 32.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 24th. Investors of record on Friday, May 10th will be given a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 9th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.80%. This is a positive change from Lithia Motors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Lithia Motors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.90%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 135 shares of Lithia Motors stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.84, for a total value of $40,208.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,662 shares in the company, valued at approximately $495,010.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on LAD shares. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $380.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Lithia Motors from $300.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. StockNews.com raised Lithia Motors from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Guggenheim dropped their price target on Lithia Motors from $320.00 to $297.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 17th. Finally, Craig Hallum reduced their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $350.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $318.55.

Lithia Motors 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.