Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) Short Interest Up 17.0% in April

Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) saw a significant growth in short interest in 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. Based on an average trading volume of 489,704 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days. Currently, 4.0% of the company’s stock are sold short.

More Lear News

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Jason M. Cardew sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.51, for a total transaction of $1,345,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 22,741 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,058,891.91. This trade represents a 30.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alicia J. Davis sold 6,630 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.98, for a total transaction of $881,657.40. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 9,972 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,326,076.56. The trade was a 39.93% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 25,264 shares of company stock valued at $3,400,687 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Lear

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Lear by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,835,802 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $324,990,000 after acquiring an additional 51,692 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its holdings in Lear by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,830,466 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $212,938,000 after purchasing an additional 5,409 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Lear by 23.6% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,569,341 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $157,891,000 after purchasing an additional 299,841 shares during the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp grew its position in shares of Lear by 46,707.8% in the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 951,602 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $109,054,000 after purchasing an additional 949,569 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Lear by 7.8% in the fourth quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 791,293 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $90,682,000 after purchasing an additional 57,206 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.04% of the company’s stock.

Lear Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LEA traded up $5.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $132.24. 1,091,424 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 486,939. The firm has a market cap of $6.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.23, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $122.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $117.74. Lear has a twelve month low of $82.88 and a twelve month high of $142.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.05.

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

Lear Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 5th were issued 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 presently 30.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on LEA. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Lear from $112.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Lear from $131.00 to $126.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of Lear in a report on Thursday, February 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $170.00 price objective for the company. Barclays set a $140.00 target price on Lear in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Lear in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $134.92.

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.