Lithia Motors (LAD) vs Rush Enterprises (RUSHA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) has outperformed Lithia Motors (LAD) over the past year, gaining 36.3% versus a loss of 5.5%. Over five years, RUSHA leads with a +112.6% price change compared with -14.8% for LAD. Lithia Motors is the larger company by market cap ($6.32 billion vs $5.27 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Lithia Motors trades at a lower forward P/E (6.7x vs 14.8x for Rush Enterprises). Rush Enterprises offers the higher dividend yield (1.12% vs 0.82%). Rush Enterprises converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 3.5% versus 2.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | LAD | RUSHA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $287.37 | $45.13 |
| Market cap | $6.32B | $5.27B |
| 1-day change | -1.76% | -4.08% |
| YTD return | -13.53% | +25.50% |
| 1-year return | -5.53% | +36.26% |
| 5-year return | -14.78% | +112.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.52 | 20.42 |
| Forward P/E | 6.74 | 14.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $30.19 | $2.21 |
| Dividend yield | 0.82% | 1.12% |
| Annual dividend | $2.37 | $0.507 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $37.63B | $7.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.00% | -4.75% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $819.60M | $263.78M |
| Gross margin | 15.23% | 19.65% |
| Operating margin | 4.24% | 5.30% |
| Net margin | 2.18% | 3.55% |
| 52-week high | $439.49 | $55.74 |
| 52-week low | $239.78 | $30.45 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.61% | -19.03% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +50.86% | +30.36% |
| Average volume | 300.39K | 671.10K |
| Shares outstanding | 21.98M | 91.71M |
| Employees | 30,000 | 7,858 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- RUSHA has outperformed LAD by 41.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Rush Enterprises trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.4x vs 9.5x trailing P/E).
- Lithia Motors grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+4.00% vs -4.75%).
About Lithia Motors
LAD stock →Lithia Motors, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 30,000 employees
About Rush Enterprises
RUSHA stock →Rush Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retailer of commercial vehicles and related services in the United States and Canada. The company operates a network of commercial vehicle dealerships under the Rush Truck Centers name.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 7,858 employees
LAD vs RUSHA FAQ
Which is bigger, Lithia Motors or Rush Enterprises?
Lithia Motors (LAD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.32B compared with $5.27B for Rush Enterprises (RUSHA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LAD or RUSHA?
RUSHA returned +36.26% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.53% for LAD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LAD or RUSHA?
LAD has the lower trailing P/E at 9.5, versus 20.4 for RUSHA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Lithia Motors or Rush Enterprises?
Rush Enterprises has the higher yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.82% for Lithia Motors.
Are Lithia Motors and Rush Enterprises in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.