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Lithia Motors (LAD)
NYSE:LAD
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Lithia Motors (LAD) AI Stock Analysis

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LAD

Lithia Motors

(NYSE:LAD)

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Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
$344.00
▲(16.90% Upside)
Lithia Motors' overall stock score is driven by strong earnings growth and a favorable valuation, despite challenges in profitability margins and cash flow. The earnings call provided positive sentiment, but technical indicators suggest a lack of strong momentum.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates robust demand and effective sales strategies, supporting long-term business expansion and market presence.
Used Vehicle and Aftersales Segments
Growth in used vehicle and aftersales segments enhances revenue diversity and profitability, leveraging strong consumer demand and service capabilities.
Improved Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management reduces costs and improves cash flow, enhancing operational efficiency and financial stability over the long term.
Negative Factors
Decreased Vehicle Gross Profit per Unit
Declining gross profit per unit pressures overall profitability, potentially affecting margins and financial performance if trends persist.
SG&A Efficiency Challenges
Rising SG&A expenses relative to gross profit indicate inefficiencies that could erode margins and require operational adjustments for sustainability.
Cash Flow Challenges
Significant decline in free cash flow raises concerns about liquidity and the ability to fund operations and growth initiatives without external financing.

Lithia Motors (LAD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Lithia Motors Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLithia Motors, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Luxury. It offers new and used vehicles; vehicle financing services; warranties, insurance contracts, and vehicle and theft protection services; and automotive repair and maintenance services, as well as sells vehicle body and parts under the Driveway and GreenCars brand names. As of February 18, 2022, the company operated through 278 stores. It also offers its products online through 300 websites. Lithia Motors, Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Medford, Oregon.
How the Company Makes MoneyLithia Motors generates revenue primarily through the sale of new and used vehicles. The company earns income from the profit margin on these vehicle sales, which includes both the markup on the vehicles themselves and any additional services offered, such as vehicle financing and warranties. In addition, Lithia Motors has significant revenue streams from after-sales services, including vehicle maintenance, repairs, and parts sales. The company also benefits from finance and insurance (F&I) products, where it receives commissions for arranging financing and selling insurance products to customers. Partnerships with various automotive manufacturers and financial institutions also enhance Lithia's revenue, as they allow the company to offer competitive financing options and exclusive vehicle inventory, boosting sales and profitability.

Lithia Motors Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 22, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 18, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented strong growth in revenue and EPS, driven by used vehicle sales and aftersales. There was also notable progress in F&I revenue and inventory management. However, challenges such as decreased vehicle gross profit per unit, SG&A efficiency, and UK market performance were acknowledged.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and EPS Growth
Quarterly revenue was $9.7 billion, up 4.9% year over year, with adjusted diluted EPS at $9.50, up 17%. This growth reflects strong performance across all business lines.
Used Vehicle and Aftersales Segments
Used retail revenue increased by 11.8% with a 6.3% increase in unit growth. Aftersales revenue increased by 3.9% while gross profit rose 9.1%, with margins expanding to 58.4%.
F&I Revenue Growth
F&I revenue increased by 5.7%, with F&I per retail unit reaching $1,847, up $20 year over year.
Improved Vehicle Inventory Management
Vehicle inventory and carrying costs improved, with new day supply at 52 days, a decrease of 11 days sequentially.
Driveway Finance Penetration Growth
Driveway Finance achieved a 15% penetration rate milestone earlier than expected, contributing to stable earnings.
Share Buyback and Capital Strategy
Repurchased 5.1% of outstanding shares, focusing on significant long-term accretion and maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Negative Updates
Decreased Vehicle Gross Profit per Unit
Total vehicle GPU was $4,109, down $216 year over year, with new GPU at $2,867, down $348 sequentially.
SG&A Efficiency Challenges
Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was 67.9% versus 66% a year ago, indicating challenges in maintaining efficiency.
UK Market Performance
Profitability in the UK was down 2.4% year over year, with challenges due to labor market changes and regulatory costs.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter of 2025, Lithia Motors, Inc. reported strong financial performance, with quarterly revenue reaching $9.7 billion, marking a 4.9% year-over-year increase. The adjusted diluted EPS improved by 17% to $9.50, reflecting robust execution across business lines. Same-store revenues rose by 7.7%, driven by an 11.8% increase in used retail revenue and a 5.5% growth in new retail revenue. The aftersales segment also showed significant strength, with revenue up by 3.9% and gross profit rising by 9.1%, expanding margins to 58.4%. The company focused on cost control, achieving a sequentially flat SG&A in North America at 64.8%. The financial operations income from Driveway Finance Corporation (DFC) increased, contributing to a net interest margin of 4.6% and reaching a 14.5% penetration. The strategic focus on high-margin segments and disciplined capital allocation, including significant share repurchases, underscores Lithia Motors' commitment to sustained growth and shareholder value.

Lithia Motors Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Lithia Motors exhibits strong revenue growth and improved leverage, but faces challenges with profitability margins and cash flow generation. The company needs to enhance operational efficiency and cash flow management to sustain its growth trajectory.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Lithia Motors shows a solid revenue growth trajectory with a 22.4% increase in TTM. Gross profit margin is stable at 15.2%, but net profit margin is relatively low at 3.6%. EBIT and EBITDA margins have decreased, indicating potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has improved significantly to 0.32 in TTM, indicating reduced leverage. Return on equity is strong at 20.0%, reflecting efficient use of equity. However, the equity ratio is not explicitly provided, which limits full assessment.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Free cash flow has declined sharply by 58.1% in TTM, raising concerns about cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.06, suggesting potential cash flow challenges. However, free cash flow to net income ratio is moderate at 0.42.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue37.61B36.19B31.04B28.19B22.83B13.13B
Gross Profit5.67B5.56B5.23B5.15B4.26B2.22B
EBITDA2.25B2.26B2.16B2.19B1.78B875.80M
Net Income898.90M802.00M1.00B1.25B1.06B470.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets24.52B23.13B19.63B15.01B11.15B7.90B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments419.50M402.20M941.40M246.70M174.80M162.50M
Total Debt14.72B13.86B11.33B7.99B4.96B4.17B
Total Liabilities17.73B16.45B13.35B9.76B6.48B5.24B
Stockholders Equity6.77B6.66B6.21B5.21B4.63B2.66B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow135.00M73.70M-702.60M-913.20M1.54B578.50M
Operating Cash Flow472.20M425.10M-472.40M-610.10M1.80B746.30M
Investing Cash Flow-513.00M-1.85B-1.27B-1.33B-2.89B-1.61B
Financing Cash Flow114.50M907.60M2.41B2.04B1.11B935.70M

Lithia Motors Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price294.27
Price Trends
50DMA
318.83
Negative
100DMA
318.92
Negative
200DMA
318.66
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-5.73
Positive
RSI
38.55
Neutral
STOCH
8.99
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LAD, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 294.27 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 309.22, below the 50-day MA of 318.83, and below the 200-day MA of 318.66, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -5.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.55 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 8.99 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LAD.

Lithia Motors Risk Analysis

Lithia Motors disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Lithia Motors reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Lithia Motors Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$4.41B7.9515.49%8.07%60.95%
69
Neutral
$7.11B8.4813.44%0.74%8.56%17.84%
68
Neutral
$10.45B11.1717.30%3.14%2.25%8.92%
66
Neutral
$4.94B13.7512.27%0.50%19.45%-24.27%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
58
Neutral
$4.75B9.508.42%2.17%28.59%
55
Neutral
$7.07B11.4127.16%6.06%-1.71%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LAD
Lithia Motors
294.27
-85.94
-22.60%
ABG
Asbury
222.61
-43.14
-16.23%
AN
AutoNation
192.96
24.92
14.83%
KMX
CarMax
33.25
-43.53
-56.69%
GPI
Group 1 Automotive
389.70
-21.14
-5.15%
PAG
Penske Automotive Group
158.81
2.63
1.68%

Lithia Motors Corporate Events

Lithia Motors’ 2024 Annual Report Highlights Key Business Risks for Stakeholders
Oct 26, 2025

Lithia Motors faces potential business risks as outlined in their 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was submitted to the SEC on February 24, 2025. The report, particularly under Item 1A, details the primary risks associated with their operations and securities. It is crucial for stakeholders to review these risk factors in conjunction with the information provided in the latest Form 10-Q. This comprehensive understanding is essential for assessing the potential impact on Lithia Motors’ business performance and investment value.

Lithia & Driveway Reports Record Revenue and Growth
Oct 23, 2025

Lithia & Driveway (LAD), the largest global automotive retailer, offers a comprehensive range of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle, leveraging its extensive network of physical locations and e-commerce platforms to modernize personal transportation solutions.

Lithia Motors’ Earnings Call Highlights Robust Growth Amid Challenges
Oct 23, 2025

Lithia Motors’ recent earnings call conveyed a generally positive sentiment, highlighting strong growth in revenue and earnings per share (EPS), primarily driven by robust performance in used vehicle sales and aftersales. The company also made significant strides in finance and insurance (F&I) revenue and inventory management. However, challenges were acknowledged, including decreased vehicle gross profit per unit, efficiency issues in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses, and underperformance in the UK market.

Dividends
Lithia Motors Announces Cash Dividend of $0.55
Positive
Oct 22, 2025

On October 22, 2025, Lithia Motors, Inc. announced a cash dividend of $0.55 per share, scheduled for payment on November 21, 2025, to shareholders recorded by November 7, 2025. This announcement signifies Lithia Motors’ ongoing commitment to providing value to its shareholders, potentially enhancing investor confidence and impacting its market position positively.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Hold with a $327.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Lithia Motors Expands Board with Two New Directors
Neutral
Oct 2, 2025

On October 1, 2025, Lithia Motors, Inc. expanded its Board of Directors from seven to nine members, appointing Heidi O’Neill and Richard Bailey as new directors. Both will receive compensation in line with the company’s non-employee director practices, including an annual retainer and restricted stock units. O’Neill brings extensive experience from her leadership roles at Nike, while Bailey has a background in academia and military service. The company has also demonstrated its commitment to Southern Oregon University through significant donations, reflecting a longstanding relationship.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Buy with a $350.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Lithia Motors Completes $600M Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Sep 10, 2025

On September 10, 2025, Lithia Motors, Inc. completed a private offering of $600 million in 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030. The proceeds will be used to repay portions of its revolving credit lines and may be reborrowed for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital. The Senior Notes are unconditionally guaranteed by subsidiaries and rank equally with existing and future senior indebtedness. The issuance aims to strengthen Lithia Motors’ financial flexibility and support its strategic initiatives.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Buy with a $385.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Lithia Motors Announces $600M Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Sep 3, 2025

On September 3, 2025, Lithia Motors announced the pricing of its $600 million private offering of 5.500% senior notes due 2030, an increase of $100 million from the initial offering size. The proceeds will be used to repay part of its revolving credit borrowings, potentially impacting its financial flexibility and acquisition strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Buy with a $343.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Lithia Motors Announces $500 Million Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Sep 3, 2025

On September 3, 2025, Lithia Motors announced a private offering of $500 million in senior notes due 2030. The proceeds will be used to repay part of its revolving credit borrowings, which may be reborrowed for corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital. This strategic financial move is expected to impact the company’s operational flexibility and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Buy with a $343.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Lithia Motors Expands Loan Agreement by $500 Million
Positive
Aug 8, 2025

On August 6, 2025, Lithia Motors, Inc. announced a Sixth Amendment to its Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, increasing its total financing commitment from $6.0 billion to $6.5 billion, with potential expansion to $7.0 billion. This amendment includes changes such as reallocating commitments under the Credit Facility and removing Financing Operations interest expense from the fixed charge coverage ratio, which could enhance the company’s operational flexibility and financial strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAD) stock is a Buy with a $410.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lithia Motors stock, see the LAD Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 31, 2025