A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Lithia Motors (LAD - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Lithia Motors due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Lithia Motors Puts Up a Solid Show in Q1
Lithia Motors reported first-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $11.96 per share, marking a whopping 103% increase from the prior-year quarter’s $5.89 per share. The bottom line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.63. Higher-than-expected revenues from new vehicle, used-vehicle (retail and wholesale) and fleet and others segments led to the upside.
Total revenues jumped 54% year over year to $6,705.3 million. The top line also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,031.8 million.
Lithia Motors claims to have reported the highest first-quarter earnings and revenues in its history.
Segmental Performance
New vehicle retail revenues increased 39.6% year over year to $3,061.8 million and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,476 million. New vehicle units sold climbed 20.6% from the prior-year quarter to 64,942. The average selling price of new-vehicle retail rose 15.8% to $47,146.
The used-vehicle retail revenues surged 65.2% year over year to $2,234.5 million and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,044 million. The used-vehicle retail units sold grew 24.8% from the year-ago quarter to 73,689. The average selling price of used-vehicle retail improved 32.4% to $30,323. Revenues from used-vehicle wholesale skyrocketed 185.4% to $385.8 million and surpassed the consensus mark of $316 million.
Revenues from service, body and parts were up 55.4% from the prior-year period to $627.8 million and crossed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $503 million. The company’s F&I business’ revenues grew 57.9% to $313.2 million. The figure also topped the consensus estimate of $269 million. Revenues from fleet and others were $82.2 million, rising 37% year over year and exceeding the consensus mark of $55 million.
While the same-store new vehicle revenues fell 2.6% year over year, the same-store used vehicle retail sales increased 30.6%. The same-store revenues from the F&I business climbed 16.6%, and that of the service, body and parts unit grew 13.3%.
Financial Tidbits
Cost of sales jumped 49.6% year over year in first-quarter 2022. SG&A expenses — as a percentage of gross profit — improved 550 basis points from 62.6% to 57.1%. Encouragingly, pretax and net profit margins also improved from the year-ago levels.
The company approved a dividend of 42 cents per share for first quarter 2022, which marks an increase from the previous payout of 35 cents. The dividend is to be paid on May 27, 2022, to shareholders of record on May 13. Year-to-date, the company has repurchased 515,130 shares at a weighted average price of $292.80. Nearly $572 million remains under its authorization.
Lithia had cash and cash equivalents of $161.4 million as of Mar 31, 2022, down from $174.8 million as of Dec 31, 2021. Long-term debt was $3,395.2 million, marking an increase from $3,185.7 million as of Dec 31, 2021.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in estimates revision.
The consensus estimate has shifted 13.31% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, Lithia Motors has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Lithia Motors has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Lithia Motors (LAD - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Lithia Motors due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Lithia Motors Puts Up a Solid Show in Q1
Lithia Motors reported first-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $11.96 per share, marking a whopping 103% increase from the prior-year quarter’s $5.89 per share. The bottom line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.63. Higher-than-expected revenues from new vehicle, used-vehicle (retail and wholesale) and fleet and others segments led to the upside.
Total revenues jumped 54% year over year to $6,705.3 million. The top line also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,031.8 million.
Lithia Motors claims to have reported the highest first-quarter earnings and revenues in its history.
Segmental Performance
New vehicle retail revenues increased 39.6% year over year to $3,061.8 million and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,476 million. New vehicle units sold climbed 20.6% from the prior-year quarter to 64,942. The average selling price of new-vehicle retail rose 15.8% to $47,146.
The used-vehicle retail revenues surged 65.2% year over year to $2,234.5 million and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,044 million. The used-vehicle retail units sold grew 24.8% from the year-ago quarter to 73,689. The average selling price of used-vehicle retail improved 32.4% to $30,323. Revenues from used-vehicle wholesale skyrocketed 185.4% to $385.8 million and surpassed the consensus mark of $316 million.
Revenues from service, body and parts were up 55.4% from the prior-year period to $627.8 million and crossed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $503 million. The company’s F&I business’ revenues grew 57.9% to $313.2 million. The figure also topped the consensus estimate of $269 million. Revenues from fleet and others were $82.2 million, rising 37% year over year and exceeding the consensus mark of $55 million.
While the same-store new vehicle revenues fell 2.6% year over year, the same-store used vehicle retail sales increased 30.6%. The same-store revenues from the F&I business climbed 16.6%, and that of the service, body and parts unit grew 13.3%.
Financial Tidbits
Cost of sales jumped 49.6% year over year in first-quarter 2022. SG&A expenses — as a percentage of gross profit — improved 550 basis points from 62.6% to 57.1%. Encouragingly, pretax and net profit margins also improved from the year-ago levels.
The company approved a dividend of 42 cents per share for first quarter 2022, which marks an increase from the previous payout of 35 cents. The dividend is to be paid on May 27, 2022, to shareholders of record on May 13. Year-to-date, the company has repurchased 515,130 shares at a weighted average price of $292.80. Nearly $572 million remains under its authorization.
Lithia had cash and cash equivalents of $161.4 million as of Mar 31, 2022, down from $174.8 million as of Dec 31, 2021. Long-term debt was $3,395.2 million, marking an increase from $3,185.7 million as of Dec 31, 2021.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in estimates revision.
The consensus estimate has shifted 13.31% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, Lithia Motors has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Lithia Motors has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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