Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, serving as complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank [3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for market outperformance [4] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using metrics like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales ratios [4] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook through projected earnings and sales [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal entry points based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks averaging a +23.62% annual return since 1988 [8][9] - There are over 800 top-rated stocks available, making selection challenging for investors [9] Stock Selection Strategy - For optimal returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with a 3 (Hold) rank should also have A or B Scores to maximize upside potential [10] Company Spotlight: Lithia Motors - Lithia Motors, Inc. is a leading automotive retailer in the U.S., offering 52 vehicle brands across 459 locations [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of A and a Value Style Score of A, indicating attractive valuation metrics [12][13] - The company has seen upward revisions in earnings estimates, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $33.67 per share for fiscal 2025 [13]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Auto Retail and Wholesale industry is experiencing significant changes due to evolving consumer habits, policy shifts, and strategic actions by key players [1][3] - The industry is consumer-driven, with performance closely tied to economic conditions, where increased disposable income typically leads to higher vehicle purchases [3] - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the industry's shift towards online tools and e-commerce, a trend expected to continue [3] Factors Influencing Industry Dynamics - Car affordability has seen a modest improvement due to rising consumer incomes and dealer incentives, but tariffs on imported vehicles continue to pose challenges, potentially adding up to $5,700 to the cost of new cars [4] - The EV market is in a transitional phase, with first-half 2025 U.S. EV sales reaching 607,089 units, a 1.5% year-over-year increase, but a decline in demand is anticipated in the fourth quarter without government subsidies [5] - Auto retailers are making strategic acquisitions to enhance market share and diversify offerings, while also investing in digital platforms to meet changing customer expectations [2][6][7] Market Performance - The Zacks Auto Retail & Wholesale industry ranks 91, placing it in the top 37% of 245 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [8][9] - Over the past year, the industry has outperformed the S&P 500, returning 16.3% compared to the S&P 500's 12.6% growth [10] Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 8.95X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.64X and the sector's 20.66X [13] Company Highlights - **Penske Automotive**: Completed acquisitions in 2024 representing nearly $2.1 billion in annualized revenues, with a strong order backlog and a low long-term debt-to-capitalization ratio of 15.5% [17][18] - **Lithia Motors**: Expanded its footprint through acquisitions, adding $3.8 billion in 2023 and $5.9 billion in 2024 in annualized revenues, with a focus on digital platforms to enhance customer experience [22][23] - **AutoNation**: Continues to grow through strategic acquisitions and digital transformation, with a recent purchase expected to add $200 million in annual revenues [25][26] - **Group 1 Automotive**: Achieved significant revenue growth through acquisitions, adding over $1 billion in 2023 and $3.9 billion in 2024, while focusing on an omnichannel strategy [31][32]

Core Insights - Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) reported strong preliminary financial results for Q2 2025, with expected earnings per diluted share between $9.70 and $10.00, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23-27% [1][9] - The company's revenue is projected to be between $9.4 billion and $9.6 billion, driven by a same-store total revenue growth of 3.5% to 4.0% [2][9] - Lithia's financing operations showed significant year-on-year growth of 110-155%, contributing income between $15 million and $18 million [2] Business Strategy and Performance - Lithia's integrated business model, including diverse revenue streams, has demonstrated earnings growth and scalability, outperforming peers with flat results [3] - The company has effectively created synergies through its diversified lines, including Driveway, GreenCars, and Driveway Finance Corporation, enabling growth across various customer channels [3] - Lithia has repurchased 3% of its outstanding shares this year, with 1.5% repurchased in the latest quarter, indicating a disciplined approach to capital allocation [4] Acquisitions and Growth - In 2025, Lithia has acquired $400 million in annualized revenues, including two Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Tennessee and Mississippi, contributing to its growth strategy [4][9] - The company is on a path of acquisitions to secure steady revenues, benefiting from a varied product mix [4] Market Performance - Lithia's shares have increased by 25.3% over the past year, outperforming the industry average growth of 15.5% [6]

Core Insights - Lithia & Driveway (LAD) reported preliminary financial results for Q2 2025, expecting net income per diluted share between $9.70 and $10.00, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23% to 27% compared to Q2 2024, significantly outperforming market expectations [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q2 2025 are projected to be between $9.4 billion and $9.6 billion [7] - Same store total revenue growth is anticipated to be between 3.5% and 4.0% [7] - Financing operations income is expected to be between $15 million and $18 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 110% to 155% [7] - Share repurchases accounted for 1.5% of shares outstanding during Q2 and 3.0% year-to-date [7] Operational Strength - The results highlight the operational excellence across all business lines, contributing to strong top and bottom-line performance [3] - The scalability of LAD's ecosystem is demonstrating earnings growth and capital efficiency [3] - The integrated model, including DFC, Driveway, and GreenCars, is enhancing market share and performance differentiation [3][4] Strategic Outlook - The company emphasizes the strength and durability of its business model, with a noted 35% year-over-year increase in earnings per share in the previous quarter [4] - The management is focused on unlocking the potential of its ecosystem in 2025 and beyond [4] - The company aims to modernize personal transportation solutions through a diversified and competitively differentiated design [5]

Group 1 - Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings before the market opens on July 29, 2025, with a conference call scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the same day [1] - The conference call can be accessed by telephone or via the company's website for live listening and replay options [2] - Lithia & Driveway is the largest global automotive retailer, offering a wide range of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle, emphasizing convenience and transparency [3] Group 2 - The company operates a comprehensive network of physical locations, e-commerce platforms, captive finance solutions, and fleet management offerings, aiming for consistent and profitable growth in a large and unconsolidated industry [3] - Lithia & Driveway's diversified and competitively differentiated design allows for flexibility and scale in modernizing personal transportation solutions [3]

Core Insights - Robert F. Abbott has been managing family investments since 1995 and incorporated options trading in 2010, focusing on covered calls and collars with long stocks [1] Group 1 - Robert F. Abbott is a freelance writer and operates a website aimed at providing information for new and intermediate-level mutual fund investors [1] - Abbott holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree [1] - He resides in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada [1]

Company Overview - Lithia Motors is a significant player in the automotive retail space with a market capitalization of $8.52 billion and sales of $36.19 billion last year [1] Investment Insights - The company is recognized for its diverse operations within the automotive sector, indicating potential for growth and value generation [1]

Core Insights - Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) has expanded its presence in the Southeast by acquiring two Mercedes-Benz stores in Collierville, TN, and Jackson, MS, which is expected to generate approximately $220 million in annualized revenues [1][7] - The total expected annualized revenues from acquisitions year-to-date for LAD now amount to $400 million [2][7] - The company has focused on a balanced capital allocation strategy, emphasizing both acquisitions and share repurchases, with a goal to increase its U.S. market share to 5% [3] Financial Performance - In 2023 and 2024, LAD added $3.8 billion and $5.9 billion, respectively, in annualized revenues through acquisitions [2] - The company has repurchased approximately 729,000 shares for $230 million at a weighted average price of $315 per share, with $589 million remaining under the current repurchase authorization [3][7] - LAD's stock has increased by 32.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 20.1% [4] Market Position - The strategic acquisitions and store expansions are aimed at boosting market share and enhancing the luxury brand portfolio [1][2] - LAD's current Zacks Rank is 3 (Hold), while other companies in the auto space, such as Dorman Products, Standard Motor Products, and Luminar Technologies, hold better rankings [6]

Core Insights - Lithia & Driveway has acquired two Mercedes-Benz stores in Collierville, TN and Jackson, MS, enhancing its luxury brand portfolio and increasing store density in the Southeast region, with an estimated annualized revenue of $220 million from these acquisitions [1][2] - The total expected annualized revenue acquired by Lithia & Driveway year-to-date has reached $400 million, financed through existing on-balance sheet capacity [3] - The company has invested $230 million in share repurchases this year, acquiring approximately 729,000 shares at a weighted average price of $315 per share, representing 2.8% of outstanding shares, with $589 million remaining for future repurchases [4] Company Overview - Lithia & Driveway is the largest global automotive retailer, offering a wide range of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle, focusing on providing simple, convenient, and transparent experiences through a comprehensive network of physical locations and e-commerce platforms [5]

Core Insights - Pinewood Technologies Group plc (Pinewood.AI) has agreed to acquire Lithia's 51% stake in their North American joint venture for $76.5 million, valuing the joint venture at $150 million [1][5] - The acquisition will provide Pinewood.AI with complete control over its North American platform, facilitating broader adoption and expansion in the $6.5 billion automotive retail software sector [2] - A five-year contract has been signed to deploy the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence™ platform across all Lithia dealerships in the US and Canada by the end of 2028 [3] Financial Implications - Pinewood.AI anticipates generating approximately $40 million in annual recurring revenue post-rollout, with projected revenue from Lithia expected to reach around $60 million due to additional features [4] Strategic Importance - The acquisition simplifies Pinewood.AI's structure and financial reporting, allowing for full revenue consolidation and enhanced transparency [2] - The CEO of Pinewood Technologies emphasized the strategic significance of the North American market for growth and the importance of the partnership with Lithia [6] Partnership Dynamics - Lithia will remain a committed minority shareholder and a key long-term customer following the acquisition [7] - Lithia's CEO expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the commitment to modernizing customer experiences and the integration of Pinewood.AI's platform across their network [6]