Q2 EPS Estimates for Lithia Motors Lowered by Zacks Research

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) – Research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Lithia Motors in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, May 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $8.61 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $9.18. The consensus estimate for Lithia Motors’ current full-year earnings is $34.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Lithia Motors’ Q1 2026 earnings at $8.61 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $8.97 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $8.96 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.96 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $35.50 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $10.21 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $42.82 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Guggenheim cut their price objective on Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Citigroup raised Lithia Motors from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $415.00 to $375.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Lithia Motors from $397.00 to $308.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. StockNews.com raised Lithia Motors from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Lithia Motors from $385.00 to $328.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $361.20.

Lithia Motors Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:LAD opened at $326.26 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $295.91 and a 200 day moving average of $339.62. The company has a market cap of $8.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Lithia Motors has a 12-month low of $243.04 and a 12-month high of $405.68.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $7.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.77 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $9.18 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.21% and a return on equity of 12.43%. The company’s revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.11 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithia Motors

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LAD. Norges Bank bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 4th quarter valued at $152,752,000. Egerton Capital UK LLP purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the fourth quarter valued at $113,250,000. Steadfast Capital Management LP increased its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 137.8% during the fourth quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP now owns 460,298 shares of the company’s stock valued at $164,524,000 after buying an additional 266,715 shares during the period. Madison Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the fourth quarter valued at $91,190,000. Finally, Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the fourth quarter valued at $46,505,000.

Insider Activity at Lithia Motors

In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 248 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.84, for a total transaction of $72,128.32. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,219.48. This represents a 16.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Adam Chamberlain sold 403 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.28, for a total value of $154,864.84. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 2,605 shares in the company, valued at $1,001,049.40. The trade was a 13.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,583 shares of company stock worth $533,455. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company’s stock.

Lithia Motors Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.67%. This is a boost from Lithia Motors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. Lithia Motors’s dividend payout ratio is 6.93%.

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.