Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $386.00.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Lithia Motors from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Evercore upped their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Lithia Motors from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $335.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $390.00 to $380.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 75 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.00, for a total transaction of $27,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,810 shares in the company, valued at $651,600. This trade represents a 3.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.87% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Lithia Motors during the second quarter worth about $148,540,000. River Road Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 33.6% during the 4th quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 742,677 shares of the company’s stock worth $246,814,000 after purchasing an additional 186,628 shares during the period. Life Cycle Investment Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,409,000. Hennessy Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Lithia Motors during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,342,000. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in Lithia Motors by 8,474.0% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 107,690 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,789,000 after buying an additional 106,434 shares during the last quarter.

Lithia Motors Price Performance

LAD opened at $279.72 on Monday. Lithia Motors has a twelve month low of $262.10 and a twelve month high of $360.55. The firm has a market cap of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.70 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $323.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $320.95.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last announced its earnings results 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 net margin of 2.18% and a return on equity of 12.76%. During the same period last year, the company earned $7.79 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Lithia Motors will post 34.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Lithia Motors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.85%.

Trending Headlines about Lithia Motors

Here are the key news stories impacting Lithia Motors this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised a near‑term EPS estimate (Q1), a positive revision that suggests better-than-expected short‑term profitability. Q1 EPS Estimates for Lithia Motors Raised by Zacks Research
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also lifted its Q4 2027 EPS forecast to $14.66 from $11.38, indicating some expectations for stronger late‑cycle earnings, which could support longer‑term upside if realized. MarketBeat LAD overview (Zacks note)
• Neutral Sentiment: The street consensus cited in these notes still lists the current full‑year estimate at $34.45, showing that despite revisions from Zacks the broader market view for the near term is stable. MarketBeat LAD overview
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut multiple near‑term and mid‑cycle forecasts: Q2–Q4 2026 quarter estimates were trimmed (e.g., Q2 2026 to $9.37, Q3 2026 to $9.97, Q4 2026 to $9.63) and FY2026 was lowered to $37.25 from $38.19 — reductions that signal weaker expected earnings in the coming year. MarketBeat LAD overview (Zacks cuts)
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks also trimmed several 2027 quarterly estimates (Q1–Q3 2027) and reduced FY2027 to $42.55 from $43.72, indicating more conservative medium‑term expectations that could weigh on sentiment and valuation multiple. MarketBeat LAD overview (Zacks cuts)
• Negative Sentiment: Independent outlet Wall Street Zen lowered its stock rating on LAD, adding downward pressure from sentiment/technical traders and investors who follow third‑party ratings. Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) Stock Rating Lowered by Wall Street Zen

About Lithia Motors

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.