Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

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

LAD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Lithia Motors from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday. Barclays decreased their price objective 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. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Evercore upped their target price on Lithia Motors from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Lithia Motors from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $335.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Friday, February 20th.

Lithia Motors Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LAD opened at $279.72 on Monday. Lithia Motors has a 12-month low of $262.10 and a 12-month high of $360.55. 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 market cap of $6.78 billion, a PE ratio of 8.70 and a beta of 1.21. The stock has a 50 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 in the prior year, the company posted $7.79 EPS. The business’s revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Lithia Motors will post 34.45 EPS for the current year.

Lithia Motors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Shareholders 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 yield of 0.8%. Lithia Motors’s payout ratio is 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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 75 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.00, for a total transaction of $27,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 1,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $651,600. This trade represents a 3.98% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.87% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Lithia Motors

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 114.6% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 88 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Lithia Motors by 1,383.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 89 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC increased its stake in Lithia Motors by 111.4% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 93 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in Lithia Motors during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000.

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.