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Lithia Motors (LAD) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

Zacks Equity Research

Shares of Lithia Motors (LAD) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 26.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $165.27 in the previous session. Lithia Motors has gained 112.5% since the start of the year compared to the 21.9% move for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the 54.7% return for the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 23, 2019, Lithia Motors reported EPS of $3.39 versus consensus estimate of $3.14.

For the current fiscal year, Lithia Motors is expected to post earnings of $11.6 per share on $12.61 billion in revenues. This represents a 16.23% change in EPS on a 6.64% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $13.11 per share on $13.06 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 13.05% and 3.58%, respectively.

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Valuation Metrics

Lithia Motors may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Lithia Motors has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 14X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.7X versus its peer group's average of 8.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.52. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Lithia Motors currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Lithia Motors fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Lithia Motors shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.


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Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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