Zacks Research Cuts Earnings Estimates for Lithia Motors

Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Lithia Motors in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $9.37 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $9.80. The consensus estimate for Lithia Motors’ current full-year earnings is $34.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Lithia Motors’ Q3 2026 earnings at $9.97 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $9.63 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $37.25 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $8.95 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $9.40 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $9.53 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $14.66 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $42.55 EPS.

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $6.74 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $8.09 by ($1.35). Lithia Motors had a net margin of 2.18% and a return on equity of 12.76%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $7.79 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. Barclays cut their price objective on Lithia Motors from $390.00 to $380.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Evercore increased their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Lithia Motors in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Lithia Motors from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $335.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Lithia Motors from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $386.00.

Lithia Motors Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of LAD opened at $271.49 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 capitalization of $6.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.45 and a beta of 1.20. 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 stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $320.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $320.49.

Lithia Motors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. Lithia Motors’s payout ratio is currently 6.85%.

Insider Activity at Lithia Motors

In other news, Director Congdon Stacy Loretz sold 75 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.00, for a total value of $27,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $651,600. The trade was a 3.98% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.87% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lithia Motors

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Lithia Motors by 114.6% in 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 period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 1,383.3% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 89 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $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.