📊 LAD Key Takeaways
Is Lithia Motors Inc. (LAD) a Good Investment?
Lithia Motors faces critical operational and financial stress with negative operating cash flow (-$108.4M) and free cash flow (-$205.5M) despite 4% revenue growth, indicating severe unit economics deterioration. High leverage (1.52x debt/equity) combined with liquidity strain (0.99x current ratio) and declining profitability (net margin 1.1%, ROE 1.6%) creates unsustainable financial dynamics in a capital-intensive business.
Lithia Motors shows resilient scale with moderate revenue growth and solid operating profitability, producing double-digit ROE and EPS growth despite a slight decline in net income. However, cash conversion is very weak with near-zero free cash flow and a low quick ratio, while leverage is elevated, increasing sensitivity to inventory cycles and interest costs. Clear improvement in free cash flow and deleveraging would strengthen the fundamental outlook.
Why Buy Lithia Motors Inc. Stock? LAD Key Strengths
- Revenue growth of 4.0% YoY demonstrates continued market presence and customer demand
- Interest coverage ratio of 4.8x provides adequate debt service capacity in near term
- Operating income of $335.8M provides baseline operational profitability before working capital pressures
- Scale-driven revenue base with diversified gross profit
- Consistent operating performance (4.2% margin) and 12.4% ROE
- Healthy interest coverage (5.8x) and EPS growth YoY
LAD Stock Risks: Lithia Motors Inc. Investment Risks
- Negative operating cash flow (-$108.4M) indicates core business is not generating cash from operations—fundamental operational problem
- Negative free cash flow (-$205.5M) with 1.52x debt/equity creates unsustainable debt servicing dynamics requiring balance sheet deleveraging
- Liquidity deterioration with current ratio at 0.99x and quick ratio at 0.24x signals working capital stress and covenant risk
- Declining net income (-0.8% YoY) and collapsing returns on capital (ROE 1.6%, ROA 0.4%) despite revenue growth indicates margin compression and asset inefficiency
- High long-term debt ($9.7B) against low cash reserves ($160.8M) creates refinancing vulnerability
- High leverage (1.47x D/E; $9.68B debt) and low cash buffer
- Weak free cash flow (0% margin) and working-capital intensity
- Thin margins and cyclical demand/interest rate sensitivity
Key Metrics to Watch
- Operating cash flow trend—must turn positive to validate business sustainability
- Current ratio and days sales outstanding—liquidity management is critical near-term issue
- Gross margin percentage—key indicator of pricing power and unit economics in auto retail
- Debt-to-EBITDA ratio—assess deleveraging progress and refinancing capacity
- Free cash flow margin
- Interest coverage
Lithia Motors Inc. (LAD) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
LAD Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
LAD vs Automotive Sector: How Lithia Motors Inc. Compares
How Lithia Motors Inc. compares to Automotive sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Lithia Motors Inc. Stock Overvalued? LAD Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Lithia Motors Inc. shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Automotive sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Lithia Motors Inc. Balance Sheet: LAD Debt, Cash & Liquidity
LAD Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Lithia Motors Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 65% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $36.29 reflects profitable operations.
LAD Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
LAD Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $9.2B | $100.4M | $4.28 |
| Q3 2025 | $9.2B | $207.3M | $7.73 |
| Q2 2025 | $9.2B | $214.2M | $7.87 |
| Q1 2025 | $8.6B | $162.6M | $5.89 |
| Q3 2024 | $8.3B | $209.1M | $7.80 |
| Q2 2024 | $8.1B | $214.2M | $7.87 |
| Q1 2024 | $7.0B | $162.6M | $5.89 |
| Q3 2023 | $7.3B | $261.5M | $9.46 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Lithia Motors Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
LAD SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Lithia Motors Inc. (CIK: 0001023128)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
| Date | Form | Document | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778623919.xml | View → |
| May 1, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1777681106.xml | View → |
| May 1, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1777681052.xml | View → |
| May 1, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1777680984.xml | View → |
| May 1, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1777680907.xml | View → |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about LAD
What is the AI rating for LAD?
Lithia Motors Inc. (LAD) has a Combined AI Rating of SELL from Claude (SELL) and ChatGPT (HOLD) with 75% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are LAD's key strengths?
Claude: Revenue growth of 4.0% YoY demonstrates continued market presence and customer demand. Interest coverage ratio of 4.8x provides adequate debt service capacity in near term. ChatGPT: Scale-driven revenue base with diversified gross profit. Consistent operating performance (4.2% margin) and 12.4% ROE.
What are the risks of investing in LAD?
Claude: Negative operating cash flow (-$108.4M) indicates core business is not generating cash from operations—fundamental operational problem. Negative free cash flow (-$205.5M) with 1.52x debt/equity creates unsustainable debt servicing dynamics requiring balance sheet deleveraging. ChatGPT: High leverage (1.47x D/E; $9.68B debt) and low cash buffer. Weak free cash flow (0% margin) and working-capital intensity.
What is LAD's revenue and growth?
Lithia Motors Inc. reported revenue of $9.3B.
Does LAD pay dividends?
Lithia Motors Inc. pays dividends, with $12.8M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find LAD SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Lithia Motors Inc. (CIK: 0001023128) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is LAD's EPS?
Lithia Motors Inc. has a diluted EPS of $4.28.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is LAD a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, Lithia Motors Inc. has a SELL rating with 75% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is LAD stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for LAD: ROE of 1.6% (sector avg: 12%), net margin of 1.1% (sector avg: 6%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy LAD stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Lithia Motors Inc. a combined SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is LAD's free cash flow?
Lithia Motors Inc.'s operating cash flow is $-108.4M, with capital expenditures of $97.1M. FCF margin is -2.2%.
How does LAD compare to other Automotive stocks?
Vs Automotive sector averages: Net margin 1.1% (avg: 6%), ROE 1.6% (avg: 12%), current ratio 0.99 (avg: 1.2).
Is Lithia Motors Inc. carrying too much debt?
LAD has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52x, which is above the Automotive sector average of 1x. Combined with a current ratio below 1, this warrants careful monitoring of the balance sheet.