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On April 24, Lithia Motors Inc . (NYSE:LAD), a $7.68 billion automotive retailer with annual revenues of $36.8 billion, conducted its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where votes were cast on several key proposals, including the election of directors, executive compensation, and amendments to the company’s stock incentive plan. According to InvestingPro data, the company has maintained consistent dividend payments for 16 consecutive years, demonstrating strong shareholder commitment.
The election of directors resulted in all nominees being approved with significant majorities. Sidney B. DeBoer received 22,478,622 votes in favor, Bryan B. DeBoer garnered 23,241,711 votes, and James E. Lentz had 23,031,696 votes supporting his election. Other directors, including Stacy C. Loretz-Congdon, Shauna F. McIntyre, Cassandra F. McKinney, and Louis P. Miramontes, also received strong affirmative votes. This leadership team oversees a company trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 8.77x, with InvestingPro analysis showing 8 additional key metrics available to subscribers.
In an advisory capacity, shareholders approved the compensation of Lithia Motors’ named executive officers, with 19,642,551 votes in favor. This non-binding vote reflects shareholder support for the company’s executive pay structure.
The appointment of KPMG LLP as Lithia Motors’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025, was ratified with an overwhelming majority of 23,603,509 votes for the proposal.
Additionally, shareholders approved an amendment to the company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, which will increase the number of shares authorized for issuance by 1,160,000 shares. The proposal received 22,223,406 affirmative votes.
A shareholder proposal requesting approval of certain executive severance arrangements, if properly presented, was not approved, with 15,667,017 votes against it.
The information is based on a press release statement from Lithia Motors Inc. detailing the results of the shareholder meeting. The company, listed under the SIC code for retail-auto dealers and gasoline stations, operates with its headquarters in Medford, Oregon. InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently trading near its Fair Value, with a current dividend yield of 0.75% and a comprehensive Pro Research Report available for deeper insight into the company’s fundamentals.
In other recent news, Lithia Motors reported strong first-quarter 2025 earnings, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $7.66, slightly exceeding the forecast of $7.61. The company also achieved total revenues of $9.2 billion, surpassing expectations of $9.18 billion. Despite these positive results, Jefferies analyst Bret Jordan reduced the price target for Lithia Motors to $400 from $465, while maintaining a Buy rating. The adjustment followed the company’s earnings report, which showed an EPS shortfall attributed to a $0.27 charge related to Pinewood and a slight 0.4% decline in used vehicle supply.
Lithia Motors demonstrated a 25.4% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS and a 7% rise in total revenues. The company’s focus on digital retail strategies and its omnichannel ecosystem played a significant role in this growth. Additionally, new vehicle unit sales increased by 3.6% year-over-year, although there was a slight decline in gross profit per unit. Management reaffirmed their outlook for 2025, projecting mid-single-digit percentage growth in new unit sales, despite potential tariff impacts.
Analysts noted the potential risks from tariffs and supply challenges but highlighted the strong demand for parts and service as mitigating factors. Lithia Motors aims to achieve $2 EPS per $1 billion in revenue and plans to acquire $2 billion in revenues in 2025. The company is also committed to optimizing its network and reducing SG&A expenses. As part of its capital allocation strategy, Lithia Motors repurchased $146 million worth of shares in the first quarter.
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