Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) Short Interest Update

Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,987,543 shares, a growth of 17.0% from the March 31st total of 1,698,339 shares. Approximately 4.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 489,704 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Lear in a report on Thursday, March 12th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Lear in a report on Thursday, February 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $170.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Lear in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barclays set a $140.00 price target on shares of Lear in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of Lear from $129.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lear presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $134.92.

Lear Price Performance

Shares of Lear stock traded up $5.11 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $132.24. The stock had a trading volume of 1,091,424 shares, compared to its average volume of 486,939. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $122.88 and its 200 day moving average is $117.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.69 billion, a PE ratio of 16.23, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.21. Lear has a twelve month low of $82.88 and a twelve month high of $142.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Lear (NYSE:LEA) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 1st. The auto parts company reported $3.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.51 by $0.36. The business had revenue of $5.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.84 billion. Lear had a net margin of 1.88% and a return on equity of 13.40%. The company’s revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.12 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Lear will post 14.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lear Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 5th were given a $0.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 5th. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Lear’s dividend payout ratio is 30.80%.

Key Stories Impacting Lear

Here are the key news stories impacting Lear this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 EPS beat and profit jump — Lear reported adjusted EPS of $3.87, topping consensus and marking its highest adjusted EPS since 2019 (and highest GAAP EPS since 2021); management cited strong demand in Seating and E?Systems driving a roughly 24% profit increase. Lear Corp Crushes Earnings: Seating, E-Systems Drive 24% Profit Jump
• Positive Sentiment: Company press release and outlook — Lear’s PR stated Q1 results were the highest EPS levels in years and the company reaffirmed its FY2026 financial outlook, which supports upside sentiment. Lear Reports First Quarter 2026 Results; The Highest EPS Since 2021 And The Highest Adjusted EPS Since 2019
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and media confirmation — Multiple outlets (Zacks, MarketBeat) highlight the EPS beat and rising profits; at least one analyst set a $134.92 price target ahead of the print, adding support to the rally. Lear (LEA) Q1 Earnings Surpass Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue roughly flat to estimates — Revenue rose 4.7% year-over-year to $5.82B but narrowly missed the consensus (~$5.84B), so top-line momentum is positive but not materially stronger than expected. Lear earnings release / transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Margins and net income context — Despite higher EPS, Lear’s reported net margin was modest (~1.9%), indicating profits are sensitive to mix, costs and lower industry vehicle output; this could cap enthusiasm if auto production weakens. Lear 1Q Profit, Revenue Rise Despite Lower Auto Output

Insider Activity at Lear

In other news, VP Marianne Vidershain sold 1,590 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total transaction of $214,650.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 1,862 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $251,370. The trade was a 46.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Harry Albert Kemp sold 7,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.31, for a total transaction of $954,170.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 17,423 shares in the company, valued at $2,374,929.13. This trade represents a 28.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 25,264 shares of company stock valued at $3,400,687 over the last three months. 1.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LEA. M&T Bank Corp raised its position in shares of Lear by 46,707.8% during the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 951,602 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $109,054,000 after purchasing an additional 949,569 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Lear during the 4th quarter worth about $82,016,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Lear during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,656,000. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec acquired a new position in shares of Lear during the 3rd quarter worth about $40,984,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Lear by 23.6% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,569,341 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $157,891,000 after purchasing an additional 299,841 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.04% of the company’s stock.

Lear Company Profile

Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is a global supplier of automotive seating and electrical distribution systems. The company designs, engineers and manufactures complete seat systems, seat components and power solutions for major vehicle manufacturers. Its electrical business delivers modules and components for battery management, infotainment, body and safety electronics, as well as advanced connectivity and electrification solutions.

The seating division develops lightweight, ergonomic seat structures, trim and mechanisms that address comfort, safety and environmental targets.