Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 10,758 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,000,000.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AN. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in AutoNation in the third quarter worth about $48,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in AutoNation by 49.7% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in AutoNation by 33.0% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in AutoNation during the second quarter worth about $63,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Insider Activity In other news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,757,580. This trade represents a 10.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.
AutoNation Stock Up 0.8% Shares of AN opened at $207.51 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $202.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $197.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.61, a PEG ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.72. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $176.62 and a 52 week high of $235.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 0.78. AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.48 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 earnings per share for the current year.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $255.00 price objective on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Weiss Ratings raised AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $250.00.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AutoNation
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,050 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $752,000.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in AutoNation during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in AutoNation by 49.7% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 33.0% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $63,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a report on Monday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on AutoNation from $287.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $250.00.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on AutoNation Insiders Place Their Bets In other AutoNation news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
AutoNation Stock Down 2.1% AN opened at $195.27 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $200.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $197.69. The company has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.04, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.71. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $176.62 and a one year high of $235.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 0.78.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The business’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.
AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 2,361,210 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $438,689,000. BlackRock Inc. owned 7.14% of AutoNation at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 57,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,825,000 after purchasing an additional 12,210 shares in the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth about $6,443,000. Evolve Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth about $4,077,000. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 180.1% during the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 13,206 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,727,000 after purchasing an additional 8,491 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leonteq Securities AG acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 4th quarter worth about $2,247,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on AN shares. Stephens lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Northcoast Research raised AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Seaport Research Partners restated a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays boosted their price target on AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $250.00.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AutoNation Insider Activity at AutoNation In related news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
AutoNation Price Performance Shares of AN stock opened at $196.55 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The company has a market capitalization of $6.50 billion, a PE ratio of 9.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.71. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $200.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $197.57. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $176.62 and a 12 month high of $235.81.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 31.24%. The business had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.26 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 earnings per share for the current year.
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Key Takeaways AutoNation's record Parts & Service profits and growing finance earnings provide recurring growth drivers.AN is investing in digital capabilities while repurchasing shares to support per-share earnings.High debt, weaker new-vehicle profitability and elevated SG&A remain key challenges. AutoNation (AN - Free Report) is set to gain from record aftersales profits, expanding finance earnings, digital investments and share repurchases. However, high debt limits financial flexibility, while weaker new-vehicle profitability and elevated operating costs remain concerns.
Let’s dig deeper and see why this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is worth retaining in your portfolio.
Aftersales Contribution & Investment in Technology Aid ANAftersales remains AutoNation’s largest gross profit contributor and provides a recurring earnings stream across vehicle cycles. In the second quarter of 2026, Parts & Service gross profit reached a record $607 million, up 1% year over year, while customer-pay gross profit rose 7% in total and 4% on a same-store basis. Same-store franchise technician headcount rose more than 2%, and the company expects technician capacity and customer retention to be key to sustaining mid-single-digit aftersales gross profit growth over time.
AutoNation Finance continues to expand its earnings contribution as the loan portfolio scales and external funding increases. In second-quarter 2026, originations were $485 million, and the portfolio reached $2.67 billion, up about 52% year over year. Quarterly profit rose to $11 million from $2 million, while first-half profit reached $20 million versus $2 million a year earlier. Finance penetration was 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of financed sales.
AutoNation continues to invest in digital and omni-channel capabilities as customers increasingly use online resources for vehicle research and purchasing. AutoNation Express supports online buying and selling, while its minority investment in TrueCar broadens digital reach. AN is also adding functionality across research, purchase and vehicle-fulfillment channels to match changing customer preferences. These investments complement store execution, and second-quarter 2026 market share remained consistent with the first quarter in the markets AutoNation serves.
AutoNation continues to deploy capital toward share repurchases, which remains an important lever for per-share earnings and boosts shareholder confidence. From Jan. 1 to July 29, 2026, AutoNation repurchased 2.3 million shares. As of June 30, 2026, $618.9 million remained authorized under the current program.
High Debt & Operating Cost Ail AutoNationAutoNation’s balance sheet remains leveraged as capital deployment expands. As of June 30, 2026, non-vehicle debt was $4.4 billion, cash was $53 million and liquidity was about $1 billion. The firm’s long-term debt-to-capital ratio stands at 0.72 compared to the industry’s 0.27. High debt restricts the firm’s financial flexibility.
New-vehicle economics remain exposed to vehicle costs, manufacturer incentives and changes in powertrain mix even as sequential profitability has stabilized. In second-quarter 2026, new-vehicle gross profit per unit was $2,381, down 15% from $2,785 a year earlier, while new units fell 4%. The decline reflected higher average vehicle costs and lower manufacturer incentives, with BEV sales down more than 30% year over year. Premium Luxury new units fell 4%, while Domestic units declined 12%. The company expects prior-year tariff and EV-credit comparison effects to ease in the second half, but sustaining margins still depends on vehicle costs and mix.
Operating efficiency remains below the company’s long-term target despite sequential progress. Adjusted SG&A was 68.2% of gross profit in the second quarter of 2026, up from the 66% to 67% target range and 66.2% a year earlier. Advertising costs rose to support vehicle sales, while first-half spending also reflected customer experience investments and higher self-insured losses.
Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates AN has underperformed the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry in the last six months. Its shares have gained 1.8% compared to the industry’s growth of 14.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation perspective, AN appears undervalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.23, lower than the industry’s 0.3.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AN’s 2026 EPS has improved 28 cents in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks in the auto space are China Yuchai International Limited (CYD - Free Report) and Garrett Motion Inc. (GTX - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CYD’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 58.6% and 68.6%, respectively.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GTX’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.2% and 25.7%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 10 cents each over the past 30 days.
Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 50,465 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,376,000. Deutsche Bank AG owned about 0.15% of AutoNation at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AN. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in AutoNation by 8.9% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,953 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,070,000 after purchasing an additional 1,551 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the first quarter valued at approximately $265,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 10.9% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 98,610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,967,000 after purchasing an additional 9,656 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 17.3% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $562,000 after purchasing an additional 511 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
AutoNation Price Performance AutoNation stock opened at $198.86 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $200.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $197.79. The stock has a market cap of $6.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.71. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $176.62 and a 12-month high of $235.81.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on AN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $255.00 price objective on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays lifted their target price on AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Citigroup boosted their target price on AutoNation from $287.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Stephens upped their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $250.00.
View Our Latest Stock Report on AN
Insider Activity In other news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,757,580. This represents a 10.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.
AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.45; value investors should take notice.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.50 to $21.69 per share. AN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.
Empowered Funds LLC decreased its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 73.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,432 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,404 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $670,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in AutoNation in the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in AutoNation by 49.7% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of AutoNation by 33.0% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Monetary Solutions Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth about $64,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
Insider Buying and Selling at AutoNation In other news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
AutoNation Stock Down 2.1% NYSE AN opened at $204.93 on Tuesday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $176.62 and a 12 month high of $235.81. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $200.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $198.04. The company has a market capitalization of $6.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.49, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.18. AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The business had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.26 EPS. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on AN. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $248.00 price target on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Argus raised their price target on AutoNation from $241.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Northcoast Research raised shares of AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoNation has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $250.00.
Read Our Latest Research Report on AN
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Bank of America Corp DE trimmed its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 18.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 194,018 shares of the company’s stock after selling 42,907 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE owned approximately 0.58% of AutoNation worth $37,884,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AN. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 49.7% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in AutoNation by 33.0% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Monetary Solutions Ltd bought a new position in AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth $64,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
Insider Activity In related news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,757,580. This represents a 10.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have commented on AN. Argus lifted their target price on AutoNation from $241.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $250.00.
Read Our Latest Analysis on AutoNation
AutoNation Stock Performance AN stock opened at $208.46 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The company has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.71. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $176.62 and a 12 month high of $235.81. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $199.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $198.12.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The company had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.26 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.
AutoNation Profile (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.
AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. AN has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 6.2% over the past four weeks.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.43 to $21.62 per share. AN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways AutoNation's Q2 adjusted EPS rose 1.8% to $5.56, beating the $5.43 consensus estimate by 2.4%.After-Sales gross profit hit a record $607.1M, becoming AutoNation's largest gross profit contributor.AutoNation expects second-half adjusted EPS growth on After-Sales, CFS, finance growth and fewer shares. AutoNation, Inc. (AN - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $5.56 per share, up 1.8% from $5.46 a year ago. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.43 by 2.4%. Results benefited from record After-Sales gross profit and stronger Customer Financial Services profitability. Revenues of $6.93 billion declined 0.6% year over year and missed the consensus estimate of $6.97 billion by 0.6%.
AN's After-Sales Business Delivers Record ProfitParts and service revenues increased 3.4% year over year to $1.26 billion. Gross profit rose 1.4% to a record $607.1 million, making After-Sales the largest contributor to AutoNation's gross profit.
Customer-pay revenues increased 7% year over year, while wholesale parts revenues advanced 16%. Customer-pay repair orders rose 5% and warranty repair orders increased 8%. Parts and service gross margin declined to 48.1% from 49%, mainly reflecting a higher mix of lower-margin wholesale parts.
AutoNation's Finance Businesses Show MomentumCustomer Financial Services gross profit totaled $357.6 million, down 2.7% from $367.7 million a year earlier as lower retail vehicle volumes offset stronger per-unit profitability. CFS gross profit per vehicle retailed climbed 3.2% to $2,799 from $2,712. The improvement came despite an approximately 2% drag from higher AutoNation Finance originations.
AutoNation Finance, meanwhile, generated income of $10.7 million, up from $2 million a year ago. The portfolio reached $2.67 billion, increasing about 52% from $1.76 billion, while quarterly originations totaled $485 million. AN Finance accounted for 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of financed vehicle sales, highlighting the growing contribution of the captive finance platform.
AN's Vehicle Volumes Remain Under PressureNew vehicle revenues declined 3.1% to $3.29 billion as retail unit sales fell 4% to 63,240. New vehicle gross profit per unit dropped 14.5% to $2,381, reflecting higher vehicle costs. Much of the volume decline was due to weaker battery-electric vehicle sales and difficult comparisons against tariff-related demand pull-forward in 2025.
Used vehicle revenues increased 1.3% to $2.01 billion despite a 7.5% decline in retail unit sales to 64,521. Retail used vehicle revenue per unit increased 8.4% to $28,674, while gross profit per unit slipped 2.5% to $1,582.
AN's Gross Profit and Adjusted Income DeclineTotal gross profit fell 3.5% year over year to $1.23 billion, with gross margin narrowing to 17.8% from 18.3%. Adjusted operating income declined 7% to $343.1 million from $369.3 million.
Adjusted SG&A expenses represented 68.2% of gross profit, improving sequentially from 69.8% in the first quarter but remaining above 66.2% a year ago. Management expects the ratio to reach its 66%-67% target range on a run-rate basis by year-end.
AutoNation's Cash Flow Funds Acquisitions and BuybacksAdjusted free cash flow totaled $439.2 million in the first half of 2026, representing 125% of adjusted net income. AutoNation spent $316.5 million on acquisitions and $126 million on capital expenditures during the period.
The company also repurchased 2.3 million shares for $457 million in the first half. As of June 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $53.3 million. Non-vehicle debt was $4.43 billion. AutoNation had about $1 billion of liquidity, including $0.9 billion available under its revolving credit facility, net of commercial paper borrowings.
AN Expects Earnings Growth in the Second HalfManagement expects after-sales customer-pay gross profit to maintain mid-single-digit growth, supported by customer retention and technician capacity. With stable vehicle unit profitability, continued CFS and After-Sales growth, AutoNation Finance expansion and a lower share count, management expects adjusted earnings per share to grow year over year in the second half of 2026.
AN stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Peer ReleasesPenske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.62 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.38 by 7.1%. Adjusted earnings declined 4.2% from the comparable $3.78 per share a year ago. Penske’s revenues rose 6% year over year to $8.51 billion and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.93 billion by 7.4%. For the first six months of 2026, cash flow from operations totaled $418 million and capital expenditures were $134.9 million. As of June 30, Penske’s liquidity was about $1.4 billion, including $69.5 million in cash.
Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.82 per share, down 17% year over year. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.75 by 4%. Revenues rose 8% to $3.93 billion and topped the consensus mark of $3.78 billion by 4%. Sonic ended the quarter with about $294 million of cash and floor plan deposits and roughly $676 million of total available liquidity. The company raised full-year new-vehicle gross profit per unit guidance to $2,850-$3,000 from $2,700-$3,000. Sonic’s EchoPark unit is still expected to deliver 12%-15% retail used-unit growth this year.
Lithia Motors (LAD - Free Report) posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $10.03 per share, which increased 9% from $9.20 a year ago. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.67 by 15.7%. Quarterly revenues increased 2.2% year over year to $9.79 billion and topped the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion by 1.6%. As of June 30, 2026, Lithia had cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $363.9 million, up from $341.8 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. During the quarter, Lithia repurchased roughly 854,000 shares at a weighted average price of $284, representing $242 million of share repurchases.
Empowered Funds LLC decreased its holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 73.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,432 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,404 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $670,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 8.9% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,953 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,070,000 after buying an additional 1,551 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in AutoNation during the 1st quarter worth $265,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in AutoNation by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 98,610 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,967,000 after acquiring an additional 9,656 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in AutoNation by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 511 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in AutoNation by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,757,580. This represents a 10.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AN. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on AutoNation from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Stephens raised their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of AutoNation from $287.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $250.40.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AN
AutoNation Trading Down 0.6% Shares of AN opened at $208.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 0.78. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $176.62 and a 52-week high of $235.81. The firm has a market cap of $6.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.64, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.71. The business’s fifty day moving average is $198.20 and its 200-day moving average is $198.32.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.AutoNation’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.26 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Amundi purchased a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 42,174 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,235,000. Amundi owned approximately 0.13% of AutoNation as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its position in AutoNation by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 57,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,825,000 after purchasing an additional 12,210 shares in the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new position in AutoNation in the fourth quarter valued at about $6,443,000. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 180.1% in the fourth quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 13,206 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,727,000 after purchasing an additional 8,491 shares in the last quarter. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new position in AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth about $2,247,000. Finally, Evolve Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter valued at about $4,077,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $248.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $247.45.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AN
AutoNation Stock Up 0.0% Shares of AN stock opened at $215.68 on Thursday. AutoNation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $176.62 and a fifty-two week high of $235.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.13 billion, a PE ratio of 9.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $197.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $198.44.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.48 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The company’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.59 earnings per share for the current year.
AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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Automotive retailer AutoNation has found that the industry and consumers are “in good shape,” despite declines in sales volume and profit that the company saw in the second quarter, AutoNation CEO Michael Manley said during a Friday (July 31) earnings call.
“Consumer sentiment is improving every month,” Manley said. “Our banking partners are reporting 20% increases in applications and originations, and their delinquencies continue to improve.”
During the second quarter, AutoNation’s revenue was down 1% year over year. The company saw year-over-year declines of 2% in same-store revenue, 5% in same-store gross profit, 5% in same-store new vehicle retail unit sales and 8% in same-store used vehicle retail unit sales, according to a Friday earnings release.
In a presentation released Friday, AutoNation said the company faced headwinds related to tariffs and battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales. New vehicles sales were impacted by the “tariff pull-ahead” seen in April 2025 and the BEV subsidies that were in place through September 2025.
During an earlier earnings call, in February, Manley said AutoNation and others in the industry had seen shoppers race to buy vehicles in early 2025 before the implementation of tariffs and the expiration of electric vehicle tax credits. That created a “strong pull ahead” that affected vehicle sales in subsequent quarters, Manley said.
During Friday’s earning call, Manley said that during the second quarter, BEV sales were down by more than 30% year over year.
“We’re looking forward to the second half when the volume comparison headwinds from 2025 relating to tariffs and EV credits lapse,” Manley said.
Looking ahead, AutoNation expects to see consumer and industry sales remain resilient, new and used vehicle profitability stabilize, and its market share grow, according to the presentation.
Manley said during the call that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) is “at a healthy place” and consumers are “incredibly resilient given everything that is going on.” He added that affordability levels are the best they’ve been in a few years. While not back to pre-COVID levels, affordability is “significantly improved” over the past 24 to 48 months.
“That was largely stable Q1 to Q2, and I think it’s going to be stable as we get into Q3 and Q4, which means, from my point of view, the underlying SAAR, absent a shock that none of us can see, I think is going to be in a good place as we get into the second half,” Manley said.
AutoNation remains a 'Strong Buy' at 9x earnings, supported by resilient service profits and aggressive buybacks. Despite mixed Q2 results and macro headwinds, AN's service and finance units provide stability and recurring cash flows. Buybacks have reduced share count by 12% YoY, with a further 10% reduction expected, driving EPS growth even as car sales cyclicality persists.
For the quarter ended June 2026, AutoNation (AN - Free Report) reported revenue of $6.93 billion, down 0.6% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $5.56, compared to $5.46 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of -0.52% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.97 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $5.43, the EPS surprise was +2.39%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how AutoNation performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Retail vehicle unit sales - Total: 127,761 versus 132,444 estimated by four analysts on average.Revenue per vehicle retailed - New: $52,067.00 versus the four-analyst average estimate of $52,339.52.Revenue per vehicle retailed - Used: $28,674.00 versus the four-analyst average estimate of $27,051.50.Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Finance and insurance: $2,799.00 versus $2,769.02 estimated by four analysts on average.Retail vehicle unit sales - Used: 64,521 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 68,340.Revenue- Other: $5.1 million compared to the $4.53 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +18.6% year over year.Revenue- New Vehicle: $3.29 billion compared to the $3.34 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -3.1% year over year.Revenue- Used Vehicle: $2.01 billion compared to the $1.95 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.3% year over year.Revenue- Parts and service: $1.26 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $1.28 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +3.4%.Revenue- Finance and insurance net: $357.6 million compared to the $366.29 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -2.8% year over year.Revenue- Used Vehicle- Retail used vehicle: $1.85 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $1.84 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.3%.Revenue- Used Vehicle- Wholesale: $161.3 million compared to the $142.2 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +15.2% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for AutoNation here>>>
Shares of AutoNation have returned +15.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Beyond the Foundry: 5 Infrastructure Stocks Tackling the AI BottlenecksAutoNation NYSE: AN reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $5.56, up from $5.46 a year earlier, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year adjusted EPS growth. The company said after-sales operations, customer financial services and capital allocation helped offset lower new-vehicle volume tied in part to battery-electric vehicle sales and prior-year tariff-related demand pull-forward.
Total revenue was $6.93 billion, compared with $6.97 billion in the prior-year quarter, while gross profit totaled $1.23 billion, down from $1.28 billion. Adjusted operating income was $343 million, compared with $369 million a year earlier. AutoNation’s adjusted SG&A expense was 68.2% of gross profit, improving from 69.8% in the first quarter but above 66.2% a year earlier.
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American Eagle’s Q1 Beat Leaves Investors With a Bigger QuestionChief Financial Officer Thomas Szlosek said the company expects SG&A as a percentage of gross profit to reach its 66% to 67% target range on a run-rate basis by year-end. He cited expected gross-profit improvement, productivity efforts including artificial intelligence applications, moderating advertising spending and portfolio actions as contributors.
After-Sales Sets Gross Profit Record After-sales remained AutoNation’s largest gross-profit contributor, producing a record $607 million in gross profit during the quarter. After-sales revenue rose to $1.26 billion from $1.22 billion a year earlier, with customer-pay revenue increasing 7% and wholesale parts revenue climbing 16%.
Gap Inc. Cuts Sales Outlook After Q1 Miss, Shares Drop 17%Customer-pay repair orders increased 5%, while warranty repair orders rose 8%. The gains offset lower internal repair activity, which AutoNation tied to its used-vehicle stocking mix and volume. Same-store after-sales gross profit increased 4%, while total after-sales gross profit rose 7%, according to CEO Michael Manley.
Szlosek said the after-sales gross margin was 48.1%, compared with 49% in the prior-year quarter, reflecting a greater mix of lower-margin wholesale parts sales. The company said recent commercial wins helped drive wholesale growth, as AutoNation moves toward managing products and brands through a more centralized supply-chain model.
Manley said the company views lower internal repair activity and changes in warranty mix as temporary rather than structural. He emphasized AutoNation’s efforts to improve customer retention and gain business from older vehicles that may otherwise be serviced by independent repair shops.
AutoNation increased same-store franchise technician headcount by more than 2% year over year. Management said technician hiring, retention, training and investments in service-facility layouts and tools are important to supporting mid-single-digit after-sales gross-profit growth.
Vehicle Margins Remain Stable as BEV Sales Decline New-vehicle unit sales totaled 63,240, down 4% from a year earlier. The decline was driven principally by lower battery-electric vehicle sales, which fell more than 30% year over year, according to Manley. Import sales increased 1%, while domestic sales declined 12% and premium-luxury sales fell 4%. Excluding the battery-electric vehicle effect, premium-luxury sales declined 1%.
New-vehicle gross profit per unit was $2,381, compared with $2,785 a year earlier, reflecting higher vehicle costs. Management said new-vehicle profitability has remained within a relatively narrow range for four consecutive quarters. Inventory supply stood at 73 days for domestic vehicles, 66 days for luxury vehicles and 34 days for imports.
Used-vehicle gross profit per unit was $1,582, compared with $1,622 a year earlier. AutoNation said used-vehicle sales were constrained by a lower-than-desired mix of vehicles priced below $20,000, while units priced above $40,000 rose 10%. Revenue per used vehicle increased 8%, and management said profitability in the higher-priced category was more than double that of the rest of its used business.
The company internally sourced about 90% of its used-vehicle inventory and expects off-lease vehicle supply to increase meaningfully in the second half. Szlosek said certified pre-owned sales accounted for close to 20% of used sales during the first half, up from roughly 15% in the prior-year period.
Finance Business Scales and Cash Flow Supports Capital Returns Customer Financial Services gross profit was $358 million, down from $368 million a year ago as lower retail unit volume offset stronger per-unit results. CFS gross profit per vehicle increased about 3% to $2,799. AutoNation said roughly three-quarters of vehicle sales included a finance contract, and customers purchased an average of two products per vehicle.
AutoNation Finance generated a record $11 million of profit in the quarter, compared with $2 million a year earlier. Its portfolio grew 52% to $2.67 billion, while quarterly originations were $485 million. The captive finance business represented 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of sales financed during the quarter. AutoNation also completed a roughly $550 million asset-backed securities transaction in June, bringing the portfolio to 91% debt-funded.
Adjusted free cash flow totaled more than $180 million in the quarter and $439 million in the first half, up 11% from the prior-year period. Through June, AutoNation deployed $900 million of capital, including $457 million for share repurchases, $317 million for acquisitions and $126 million in capital expenditures.
The acquisitions included Toyota of Newnan in Georgia and three premium-luxury stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. The acquired stores are expected to contribute approximately $600 million in annual revenue and about 9,700 new and used vehicle sales.
Looking ahead, Manley said the company expects adjusted EPS growth in the second half, supported by stable vehicle profitability, growth in after-sales and CFS, AutoNation Finance’s expansion and a lower share count. He said AutoNation expects customer-pay after-sales business to deliver continued mid-single-digit growth and plans to continue returning residual cash flow to shareholders while pursuing acquisitions that meet its return-on-invested-capital criteria.
About AutoNation (NYSE:AN)AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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AutoNation, Inc. (AN) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 31, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Derek Fiebig - Vice President of Investor Relations
Michael Manley - CEO & Director
Thomas Szlosek - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Rajat Gupta - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Michael Ward - Citigroup Inc. Exchange Research
John Babcock - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Bret Jordan - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Jeffrey Lick - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Robert Saltzman - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
John Saager - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
David Whiston - Morningstar Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to AutoNation Inc.'s Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call.
[Operator Instructions]
I will now hand the conference over to Derek Fiebig, VP of Investor Relations. Derek, please go ahead.
Derek Fiebig
Vice President of Investor Relations
Thanks, Kenneth, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to AutoNation's Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call. Leading our call today will be Mike Manley, our Chief Executive Officer; and Tom Szlosek, our Chief Financial Officer. Following their remarks, we'll open the call to questions. Before beginning, I'd like to remind you that certain statements and information on this call, including any statements regarding our anticipated financial results and objectives, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Additional discussions of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are contained in our press release issued today and in our filings with the SEC. Certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules will be discussed on this call. Reconciliations are provided in our materials and on our website located at investor.autonation.com.
AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $6.9 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to the same period a year ago. Second quarter
AutoNation (AN - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $5.56 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.43 per share. This compares to earnings of $5.46 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.39%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this auto retailer would post earnings of $4.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.69, delivering a surprise of -0.42%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
AutoNation, which belongs to the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry, posted revenues of $6.93 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.52%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $6.97 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
AutoNation shares have added about 4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%.
What's Next for AutoNation?While AutoNation has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for AutoNation was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $5.62 on $7.17 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $21.41 on $27.95 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales is currently in the bottom 22% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Titan Machinery (TITN - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026.
This agriculture and construction equipment seller is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.33 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -26.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Titan Machinery's revenues are expected to be $489.03 million, down 10.5% from the year-ago quarter.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $6.9 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to the same period a year ago. Second quarter 2026 EPS was $5.39, compared to $2.26 a year ago, and second quarter 2026 Adjusted EPS was $5.56, compared to $5.46 a year ago. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are included in the attached financial tables. “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong performance, including re.
AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) will release its second quarter earnings report before the opening bell on Friday, July 31.
Analysts expect the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings of $5.46 per share, compared to $5.46 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for AutoNation’s quarterly revenue is $7 billion. It reported $6.97 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.
On June 23, AutoNation acquired three premium luxury dealerships in San Francisco.
Shares of AutoNation fell 6.7% to close at $214.65 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
Considering buying AN stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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The market expects AutoNation (AN - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis auto retailer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $5.43 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -0.6%.
Revenues are expected to be $6.97 billion, down 0.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.08% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for AutoNation?For AutoNation, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.22%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that AutoNation will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that AutoNation would post earnings of $4.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.69, delivering a surprise of -0.42%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
AutoNation doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry, Group 1 Automotive (GPI - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $10.79 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -6.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $5.65 billion, down 0.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Group 1 Automotive has been revised 1.6% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -0.03%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Group 1 Automotive will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
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How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
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Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.
AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. AN has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 0% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.12 to $21.35 per share. AN boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
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Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
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Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
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How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
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To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.
AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.17; value investors should take notice.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $21.35 per share. AN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.
HARDEEVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, announced the opening of Porsche Hilton Head, a newly constructed retail and service center designed to deliver the full Porsche luxury experience to customers and enthusiasts across Hilton Head Island, the greater Savannah area, and the wider Lowcountry.
Located at 84 Auto Mall Boulevard in Hardeeville, the two-floor, 34,000-square-foot facility is one of a select number of U.S. dealerships built to Porsche’s Generation 5 “Destination Porsche” standard. The design features a light-filled showroom, customer lounge, Porscheplatz Café, dedicated Porsche 4Kids space and service viewing areas that reflect Porsche’s focus on performance, design and hospitality. The Fitting Lounge further enhances the experience, offering customers the ability to personalize their Porsche through a wide range of bespoke options.
The dealership is located within one of the fastest-growing regions in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, driven by sustained population growth and continued regional development. “Porsche Hilton Head redefines what customers can expect from a luxury automotive retail experience,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer at AutoNation. “The new facility reflects our commitment to the Lowcountry and our continued investment in high-growth markets where we cater to an evolving customer base that is looking for an experience-driven environment.”
During the evening’s celebrations, guests experienced the “Destination Porsche” ethos firsthand through curated vehicle displays, coastal-inspired culinary stations, live entertainment and remarks from AutoNation and Porsche Cars North America leadership.
Porsche Hilton Head will serve as a destination for new and pre-owned Porsche models, expert service and curated community events that celebrate the Porsche lifestyle and a vibrant enthusiast community in the Hilton Head region. The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information or to schedule a test drive, visit hiltonhead.porsche.com.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, today announced the acquisition of three premium luxury dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area, effective June 22, 2026. The acquired stores are Audi Fremont, Mercedes-Benz of Fremont, and Porsche Fremont. Together, the stores represent approximately $400 million in annual revenue and 4,800 retail new and used vehicle annual sales per year.
AutoNation’s footprint expands in California, the largest auto retail market in the U.S., to 46 locations, including 21 Premium Luxury stores, 7 Domestic stores, 16 Import stores, a collision center, and an auction center. Nationwide, AutoNation now operates 25 Mercedes-Benz, 11 Audi, and 8 Porsche stores.
“This acquisition strengthens our Premium Luxury portfolio in a highly attractive California market and reflects our disciplined approach to deploying capital into high-quality assets,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer. “Over the past 12 months, including our Baltimore, Chicago, and Atlanta area acquisitions, we have added approximately $1 billion in annual revenue, enhancing our scale, supporting long-term growth, and positioning us to deliver attractive returns for shareholders.”
AutoNation remains focused on disciplined capital allocation, balancing strategic acquisitions that expand scale in attractive markets with share repurchases that return capital to shareholders. AutoNation has invested approximately $450 million year-to-date to repurchase more than 2.2 million shares, reducing shares outstanding by more than 6 percent.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
AutoNation Expands California Footprint with Acquisition of Three Premium Luxury Dealerships AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, today announced the acquisition of three premium luxury dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area, effective June 22, 2026. The acquired stores are Audi Fremont, Mercedes-Benz of Fremont, and Porsche Fremont. Together, the stores represent approximately $400 million in annual revenue and 4,800 retail new and used vehicle annual sales per year.
AutoNation’s footprint expands in California, the largest auto retail market in the U.S., to 46 locations, including 21 Premium Luxury stores, 7 Domestic stores, 16 Import stores, a collision center, and an auction center. Nationwide, AutoNation now operates 25 Mercedes-Benz, 11 Audi, and 8 Porsche stores.
“This acquisition strengthens our Premium Luxury portfolio in a highly attractive California market and reflects our disciplined approach to deploying capital into high-quality assets,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer. “Over the past 12 months, including our Baltimore, Chicago, and Atlanta area acquisitions, we have added approximately $1 billion in annual revenue, enhancing our scale, supporting long-term growth, and positioning us to deliver attractive returns for shareholders.”
AutoNation remains focused on disciplined capital allocation, balancing strategic acquisitions that expand scale in attractive markets with share repurchases that return capital to shareholders. AutoNation has invested approximately $450 million year-to-date to repurchase more than 2.2 million shares, reducing shares outstanding by more than 6 percent.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260623430497/en/
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Presidio Group LLC (“Presidio”), an independent merchant banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investments in the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors, exclusively advised Fletcher Jones Automotive Group (“Fletcher Jones”) on the sale of Fletcher Jones Motorcars (Mercedes-Benz) of Fremont, Audi Fremont and Porsche Fremont in Fremont, Calif., and their related real estate, to AutoNation Inc. (“AutoNation”) (“NYSE: AN”). The transaction closed June 22.
"Demand remains strong for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche stores as buyers look to expand in key markets.” — George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group
Share This Northern California divestiture comes on the heels of Fletcher Jones’ March acquisition of Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, which bolstered the dealership group’s already-significant Southern California footprint and was also facilitated by The Presidio Group. With the moves, Fletcher Jones continues to align its dealership portfolio with its long-term strategic goals.
“When we decided to sell these stores as part of our regimented portfolio management initiatives, we set out to find a buyer that would provide the right level of care for the dealerships and their employees and customers,” said Keith May, president of Fletcher Jones Automotive Group. “Having sold two stores to AutoNation in 2025, we had strong confidence in its ability to represent these great luxury brands. This is our third transaction with Presidio, our trusted partner, in less than a year, and their team delivered once again, with their utmost professionalism and expertise ensuring another smooth close.”
For AutoNation, one of the largest dealership groups in the U.S., the acquisition builds on its existing presence in Northern California with a focus on premium brands.
“This acquisition strengthens our premium luxury portfolio in a highly attractive California market and reflects our disciplined approach to deploying capital into high-quality assets,” AutoNation CEO Mike Manley said.
Presidio is among the most active of the industry’s top buy-sell firms when it comes to the sale of luxury-brand dealerships and locations in California. The firm has advised on more than 130 transactions involving luxury franchises, nearly 42% of its all-time deal activity. With this sale, Presidio also has advised on transactions involving 44 California dealerships.
“We were honored to represent Fletcher Jones, one of the most iconic luxury dealership groups in the country, in this sale,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “Their trust in the Presidio team and confidence in our ability to forge relationships with the industry’s biggest and best retailers like AutoNation is truly gratifying. With our track record, including transactions involving 24 Mercedes-Benz dealerships, Presidio is proud of the deep expertise we’ve developed in high-end, luxury automotive M&A.”
This transaction also demonstrates how ongoing portfolio management activity is creating meaningful opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
“Disciplined portfolio management continues to bring well-positioned luxury assets to market,” Karolis said. “Those assets are drawing intense interest from the largest and most sophisticated buyers, particularly in California, one of the most competitive markets in the country. Demand remains strong for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche stores as buyers look to expand in key markets.”
The Presidio Group provided exclusive M&A advisory services to Fletcher Jones Automotive Group through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC.
About Fletcher Jones Automotive Group
Since 1946, Fletcher Jones Automotive Group has been a luxury automotive retail standard bearer in the U.S. Founded by Fletcher Jones Sr. with a single store in downtown Los Angeles, the group has grown over the past 80 years into one of the most respected and renowned luxury dealership groups in the country. Home to the nation’s No. 1 Mercedes-Benz and Audi locations, Fletcher Jones has become synonymous with 5-star service, top-of-the-line quality and an unwavering commitment to customers. The group offers a comprehensive suite of services, including new and used vehicle sales, expert financing and leasing, service and maintenance, parts and electric vehicle expertise. To learn more, visit www.fletcherjones.com.
About AutoNation Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our associates, customers and the communities we serve. Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the company, its business and its results of operations.
About The Presidio Group LLC
The Presidio Group was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of its clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 320 transactions for over $22.0 billion. The Presidio Group, based in Denver and Atlanta, publishes research, industry insights and data reports about the automotive retail landscape. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information on Presidio, visit www.thepresidiogroup.com.
The Zacks Auto Retail and Wholesale industry faces a subdued outlook, shaped by affordability pressures, moderating sales, geopolitical risks and a challenging electric vehicle (EV) landscape. High vehicle prices, elevated interest rates, and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on demand, while sales are weakening after a strong prior year. Rising geopolitical tensions could further impact fuel costs and consumer sentiment. At the same time, slowing EV demand contrasts with steady hybrid growth. Despite the headwinds, stocks like Penske Automotive (PAG - Free Report) and AutoNation (AN - Free Report) are better positioned, thanks to their strategic buyouts, digitization efforts and investor friendly movies.
About the Industry The auto retail and wholesale industry plays a key role in how cars, trucks and auto parts reach consumers. Companies in this space operate through dealership networks and retail chains, selling both new and used vehicles, offering repair and maintenance services, and helping customers with financing. Since this is a consumer-driven industry, its performance often depends on how strong the economy is. When people have more disposable income, they're more likely to spend on vehicles. But during tougher times, like economic slowdowns, big purchases are often put on hold. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the industry works, pushing dealers to focus more on online tools and e-commerce. That digital shift is expected to continue, shaping how vehicles are bought and sold in the future.
Factors Shaping the Industry's Fate Affordability Concerns: Affordability remains a key headwind for the U.S. auto retail industry, as high vehicle prices and economic uncertainty weigh on consumer demand. The average transaction price of a new vehicle was around $49,353 in February, making it too expensive for many buyers. At the same time, tariff policies—such as a 25% levy on imported parts and 50% on steel and aluminum—are pushing production costs higher. These pressures are keeping vehicle prices elevated, making affordability the industry’s most persistent challenge.
Cooling Sales Momentum: The U.S. auto retail industry is expected to see sales ease after a strong period last year. March sales are projected to decline nearly 12% year over year, largely due to a high base, as pre-tariff buying in March 2025 had pushed annualized sales pace to a four-year high. Monthly sales are now forecast at 1.37 million units, reflecting a drop from that surge. More broadly, higher vehicle prices, persistent inflation, and elevated interest rates are weighing on demand, with full-year 2026 sales expected to decline a modest 2.6% year over year to 15.8 million units.
Geopolitical Uncertainty: Geopolitical tensions are also a cause of concern for the U.S. auto retail industry. Escalating conflicts in the Middle East and rising threats around critical oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global energy supplies and pushed fuel prices higher. This can have ripple effects across the economy, raising overall living costs. As expenses rise, consumer sentiment toward big-ticket purchases like vehicles may further weaken. Prolonged conflict or further escalation could also hurt global economic stability, creating a challenging environment for auto sales.
Challenging EV Landscape: The EV market is facing a more challenging phase after a surge last year, owing to incentive-related buying. Demand has softened in early 2026, as the removal of federal tax incentives continues to weigh on consumer interest. EV sales are projected to decline sharply, down nearly 28% year over year in the first quarter. In contrast, hybrid vehicles are seeing steady growth, with strong momentum led by automakers like Toyota and Honda.
Zacks Industry Rank is Discouraging The Zacks Auto Retail & Wholesale industry is part of the broader Zacks Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #213, which places it in the bottom 13% of nearly 245 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates weak near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate.Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are getting pessimistic about this group’s earnings growth potential. Over the past year, the industry's earnings estimate for 2026 has declined 8%.
We will present a couple of stocks that you might consider adding to your watchlist. But before that, let’s discuss the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Lags Sector and S&P 500 The Zacks Auto Retail & Whole Sales industry has remained flat, underperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite as well as the Auto, Tires and Truck sector over the past year, which grew 16.5% and 31.2%, respectively.
One-Year Price PerformanceIndustry's Current Valuation Since automotive companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the enterprise value/earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio.
On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA, the industry is currently trading at 8.37X compared with the S&P 500’s 16.55X and the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 27.48X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 10.66X, as low as 4.78X and at a median of 7.21X, as the chart below shows.
EV/EBITDA Ratio (Past 5 Years)
2 Stocks to Keep An Eye On Penske: It is one of the leading automotive and commercial truck retailers with a well-diversified and resilient business model. The company continues to expand through strategic acquisitions, including the recent purchase of Lexus dealerships in Central Florida, which is expected to add around $450 million in annual revenues. Its service and parts segment provides a stable, recurring income stream, supported by rising demand for complex repairs in advanced vehicles.
Penske also benefits from steady earnings from Penske Transportation Solutions, which is positioned for growth as freight demand improves. Backed by a strong balance sheet, consistent share buybacks, and 21 consecutive dividend hikes, PAG offers a compelling mix of growth and shareholder returns.
Penske currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 sales implies year-over-year growth of 5.5% and 2.5%, respectively. While the consensus mark for 2026 EPS calls for a 1% year-over-year decline, the same for 2027 points to a 7% uptick from projected 2026 levels.
Price & Consensus: PAGAutoNation: It is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, supported by its broad geographic footprint and expanding dealership network. The company continues to grow through acquisitions. Last year, AN inked deals that are expected to contribute more than $650 million in annual revenues. Its Finance division is its key strength, showing improved profitability, higher in-store penetration, and solid credit performance, further boosted by the acquisition of CIG Financial.
AutoNation is also enhancing its digital presence through the AutoNation Express platform, improving the online buying experience. Strong shareholder returns remain a priority, with significant share repurchases and nearly $1 billion still available under its current buyback program.
AutoNation currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 sales implies year-over-year growth of 2% and 3%, respectively. The consensus mark for 2026 and 2027 EPS calls for a year-over-year uptick of 6% and 12%, respectively, from projected 2026 levels.
Price & Consensus: ANYou can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC trimmed its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 12.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 58,698 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,633 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.16% of AutoNation worth $12,120,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in AutoNation by 260.2% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 333,975 shares of the company’s stock valued at $73,064,000 after buying an additional 241,265 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 219.6% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 316,923 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,957,000 after acquiring an additional 217,774 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 51.8% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 631,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $125,439,000 after acquiring an additional 215,577 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,601,000. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 38.3% in the 3rd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 548,677 shares of the company’s stock valued at $120,034,000 after purchasing an additional 151,966 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
AutoNation Stock Down 0.0% NYSE:AN opened at $197.61 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $198.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $205.91. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.33 and a 1-year high of $228.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.58 and a beta of 0.81.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.91 by $0.17. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.35% and a return on equity of 31.69%. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.97 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $222.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Stephens upped their target price on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoNation has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $248.67.
Read Our Latest Research Report on AN
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than AutoNation Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report).
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SG Americas Securities LLC decreased its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 61.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,436 shares of the company’s stock after selling 13,569 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $1,742,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. HM Payson & Co. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in AutoNation by 355.3% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 173 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its holdings in AutoNation by 2,477.8% in the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 232 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
AutoNation Stock Down 0.0% Shares of AN stock opened at $197.61 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $198.07 and a 200-day moving average of $205.91. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $148.33 and a 12-month high of $228.92. The company has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.58 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.91 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.21 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.69% and a net margin of 2.35%.The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.97 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Barclays reduced their price objective on AutoNation from $250.00 to $245.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Weiss Ratings cut shares of AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $248.67.
View Our Latest Analysis on AN
AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During National Car Care Month in April, the experts at AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) are urging drivers to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance, a move that can improve safety, boost fuel efficiency and reduce long-term repair costs.
“Preventive maintenance remains one of the smartest financial and safety decisions a vehicle owner can make,” said Christian Treiber, AutoNation’s President of After-Sales. “Small maintenance steps taken now can help drivers prevent larger, more expensive problems down the road. In addition, a vehicle that’s never missed an oil change and has a documented maintenance history might bring an owner as much as 10% higher trade-in value.”
AutoNation’s service experts recommend the following tips during National Car Care Month:
Check tire pressure and tread. Warmer temperatures are on the way and can affect tire pressure. Drivers should check tire pressure monthly and inspect tread depth before spring road trips. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, saving up to 11 cents per gallon, extend tire life by 4,700 miles, and enhance safety.
Inspect brakes and address warning signs early. Drivers shouldn’t wait for squealing, grinding or vibration during braking, all possible signs of wear and tear that can lead to costly repairs. Brake wear depends heavily on driving habits, and most manufacturers don’t list a fixed mileage for brake pad replacement. Instead, routine brake inspections are recommended at every tire rotation or oil change to determine when these should be replaced to avoid major service bills and minimize safety risks.
Test the battery before summer heat. High temperatures strain aging batteries. Testing batteries in April can help drivers avoid getting stranded when summer heat peaks. Most batteries last three to five years.
Replace wiper blades and inspect lights. Spring showers demand clear visibility. Drivers should replace worn wiper blades and confirm that headlights, brake lights and turn signals function properly.
Top off and replace essential fluids. Checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid helps vehicles run efficiently and prevents wear on major systems that could lead to expensive fixes.
Replace air filters to improve efficiency. Maintaining a clean engine air filter can improve fuel efficiency and engine performance. Even small improvements in efficiency contribute to fuel savings over time.
Schedule a checkup. Factory-trained technicians will inspect the battery, tires, antifreeze, brakes, and headlights. At AutoNation, complimentary multi-point inspections include a vehicle status report, tire pressure adjustment, and fluid top-off.
AutoNation’s service experts also encourage drivers to review their owner’s manual for recommended service intervals.
“National Car Care Month serves as an important reminder that routine maintenance protects drivers’ safety and their budgets,” said Treiber.
AutoNation hosts complimentary Car Care Clinics at select stores, along with a variety of community-focused events year-round, reinforcing its commitment to supporting families and promoting safe driving practices nationwide. For information or to register to attend an upcoming AutoNation Car Care Clinic, visit https://tinyurl.com/FBAutoNationCarCareClinic .
For locations or to book a service, visit AutoNation.com.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), today announced that it will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, on Friday, May 1, 2026, before the market opens. AutoNation management will discuss these results and other information regarding the Company during a conference call and audio webcast that same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
The conference call may be accessed by telephone at 800-715-9871 (Conference ID: 90621) or on AutoNation’s investor relations website at investors.autonation.com. The webcast will also be made available on AutoNation’s website following the call under “Events & Presentations."
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC reduced its stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 80.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,237 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,169 shares during the period. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $255,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. HM Payson & Co. bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 355.3% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 173 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AN shares. Bank of America started coverage on AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Stephens lifted their price target on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Barclays cut their price target on AutoNation from $245.00 to $240.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $246.89.
View Our Latest Research Report on AutoNation
AutoNation Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AN opened at $200.47 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $155.29 and a 12 month high of $228.92. The stock has a market cap of $6.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 0.81. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $196.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $205.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.22.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.91 by $0.17. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.69% and a net margin of 2.35%.The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.21 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.97 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
About AutoNation (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than AutoNation Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report).
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As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. Apart from retailing new and used vehicles, the company offers vehicle maintenance and repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products, and other aftermarket products. In addition, it arranges financing for vehicle purchases through third-party sources.
AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.37; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2026, five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.14 to $21.33 per share. AN boasts an average earnings surprise of +7.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.
Cwm LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 21.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,763 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,025 shares during the quarter. Cwm LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $3,048,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of AN. HM Payson & Co. purchased a new stake in AutoNation during the third quarter worth $31,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 355.3% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 173 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Employees Retirement System of Texas bought a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth $48,000. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.
AutoNation Trading Down 0.1% NYSE AN opened at $203.23 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $195.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $204.25. The stock has a market cap of $6.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.91, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.81. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $155.29 and a 12-month high of $228.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.91 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.21 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.35% and a return on equity of 31.69%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.97 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.31 earnings per share for the current year.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on AN shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $230.00 to $207.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 13th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $245.00 to $240.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $244.33.
Get Our Latest Research Report on AN
AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)
AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.
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The market expects AutoNation (AN - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 1, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis auto retailer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.71 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +0.6%.
Revenues are expected to be $6.66 billion, down 0.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.91% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for AutoNation?For AutoNation, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.87%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that AutoNation will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that AutoNation would post earnings of $4.91 per share when it actually produced earnings of $5.08, delivering a surprise of +3.46%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
AutoNation doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsGroup 1 Automotive (GPI - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $8.93 for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of -12.2%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $5.5 billion, down 0% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Group 1 Automotive has been revised 0.4% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -1.38%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Group 1 Automotive will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) will release earnings for its first quarter before the opening bell on Friday, May 1.
Analysts expect the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings of $4.61 per share, down from $4.68 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for AutoNation's quarterly revenue is $6.65 billion (it reported $6.69 billion last year), according to Benzinga Pro.
On Feb. 6, AutoNation reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter EPS results.
AutoNation shares gained 3.3% to close at $212.38 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
Considering buying AN stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $6.6 billion, a decrease of 2% compared to the same period a year ago. For the quarter, EPS was $5.85, compared to $4.45 a year ago, and Adjusted EPS was $4.69, compared to $4.68 a year ago. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are included in the attached financial tables.
“We are pleased to report our strong first quarter results highlighted by record gross profit in After-Sales and record unit profitability in Customer Financial Services. Unit profitability for new and used vehicles increased sequentially. These gains largely offset expected year‑over‑year declines in unit sales,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation. “Adjusted earnings per share increased year-over-year for the fifth consecutive quarter, and strong cash flow conversion supported our continued deployment of capital toward share repurchases. AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing its portfolio to $2.4 billion while improving profitability, credit performance, and debt funding. Our diversified earnings profile, flexible cost structure, and strong balance sheet and cash flows continue to support resilient performance and disciplined capital deployment to generate shareholder returns in a dynamic operating environment,” Manley concluded.
Operational Summary
First Quarter 2026 compared to the year-ago period:
Selected GAAP Financial Data
($ in millions, except per share data and unit sales)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
YoY
Revenue
$
6,552.1
$
6,690.4
-2
%
Gross Profit
$
1,211.1
$
1,219.9
-1
%
Operating Income
$
314.3
$
336.0
-6
%
Net Income
$
205.4
$
175.5
17
%
Diluted EPS
$
5.85
$
4.45
31
%
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
35.1
39.4
-11
%
Same-store Revenue
$
6,404.7
$
6,650.5
-4
%
Same-store Gross Profit
$
1,182.7
$
1,212.9
-2
%
Same-store New Vehicle Retail Unit Sales
56,316
62,156
-9
%
Same-store Used Vehicle Retail Unit Sales
64,182
67,370
-5
%
Selected Non-GAAP Financial Data*
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
YoY
Adjusted Operating Income
$
311.7
$
334.5
-7
%
Adjusted Net Income
$
164.6
$
184.2
-11
%
Adjusted Diluted EPS
$
4.69
$
4.68
—
%
*Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are included in the attached financial tables. 2026 Adjusted Diluted EPS excludes net gains on equity investments of $54 million.
Capital Allocation, Liquidity, and Leverage
For the quarter, cash used in operating activities was $22 million, auto loans receivable, net, increased $254 million, capital expenditures were $56 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $256 million, or 155% of adjusted net income.
During the quarter, AutoNation repurchased 1.5 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million, or $201 per share. Year-to-date through April 29, 2026, AutoNation repurchased 1.9 million shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $391 million, or $201 per share, and has more than $685 million of repurchase authorization remaining under its current share repurchase program.
As of March 31, 2026, AutoNation had $1.6 billion of liquidity, including $66 million in cash and $1.6 billion of availability under its revolving credit facility, net of commercial paper borrowings. The Company’s covenant leverage ratio was 2.57x at quarter end and the Company had $4.1 billion of non-vehicle debt outstanding.
In January 2026, AN Finance completed its second asset-backed term securitization, generating $749.2 million in funding for its auto loan portfolio at a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 4.25%. The strong advance rates of this ABS transaction helped improve the debt funded status of the $2.4 billion portfolio to 90 percent.
The first quarter conference call may be accessed by telephone at 800-715-9871 (Conference ID: 90621) at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today or on AutoNation’s investor relations website at investors.autonation.com. The webcast will also be made available on AutoNation’s investor relations website following the call under “Events & Presentations.” Finally, additional information regarding AutoNation’s results can be found in the Investor Presentation available on the investor relations website.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This news release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, which exclude certain items disclosed in the attached financial tables. As required by SEC rules, the Company provides reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company's disclosure, provide a meaningful presentation of the Company's results excluding the impact of items not related to the Company's ongoing core business operations, and improve the period-to-period comparability of the Company's results from its core business operations. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “goals,” “targets,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investments, including AutoNation Finance, statements regarding our expectations for shareholder returns, potential tariff-related impacts, and the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, including during 2026, and other statements that describe our objectives, goals, or plans, are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others: economic conditions, including changes in tariffs, unemployment, interest, and/or inflation rates, consumer demand, and fuel prices; our ability to implement successfully our strategic acquisitions, initiatives, partnerships, and investments; our ability to maintain or improve gross profit margins; our ability to maintain or gain market share; legal, reputational, and financial risks resulting from cyber incidents and the potential impact on our operating results; the receipt of any insurance or other recoveries in connection with any cyber incidents; our ability to successfully implement and maintain expense controls; our ability to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation and to attract consumers to our own digital channels; our ability to acquire and integrate successfully new acquisitions; restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers and our ability to obtain manufacturer approval for franchise acquisitions; the success and financial viability and the incentive and marketing programs of vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises; natural disasters and other adverse weather events; the resolution of legal and administrative proceedings; changes in automotive laws and regulation affecting our business, including fuel economy requirements; factors affecting our goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing; and other factors described in our news releases and filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Revenue:
New vehicle
$
3,011.0
$
3,248.1
Used vehicle
1,963.8
1,922.4
Parts and service
1,220.9
1,164.0
Finance and insurance, net
352.0
352.5
Other
4.4
3.4
Total revenue
6,552.1
6,690.4
Cost of sales:
New vehicle
2,866.5
3,073.2
Used vehicle
1,842.4
1,797.9
Parts and service
627.5
596.3
Other
4.6
3.1
Total cost of sales
5,341.0
5,470.5
Gross profit
1,211.1
1,219.9
AutoNation Finance income
9.4
0.1
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
842.2
821.9
Depreciation and amortization
63.0
61.8
Other expense, net(1)
1.0
0.3
Operating income
314.3
336.0
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense
(41.8
)
(46.5
)
Other interest expense
(48.0
)
(42.3
)
Other income (loss), net(2)
51.2
(13.2
)
Income before income taxes
275.7
234.0
Income tax provision
70.3
58.5
Net income
$
205.4
$
175.5
Diluted earnings per share
$
5.85
$
4.45
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
35.1
39.4
Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock, at period end
33.9
37.9
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)
Operating Highlights
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
$ Variance
% Variance
Revenue:
New vehicle
$
3,011.0
$
3,248.1
$
(237.1
)
(7.3
)
Retail used vehicle
1,819.6
1,792.1
27.5
1.5
Wholesale
144.2
130.3
13.9
10.7
Used vehicle
1,963.8
1,922.4
41.4
2.2
Finance and insurance, net
352.0
352.5
(0.5
)
(0.1
)
Total variable operations
5,326.8
5,523.0
(196.2
)
(3.6
)
Parts and service
1,220.9
1,164.0
56.9
4.9
Other
4.4
3.4
1.0
Total revenue
$
6,552.1
$
6,690.4
$
(138.3
)
(2.1
)
Gross profit:
New vehicle
$
144.5
$
174.9
$
(30.4
)
(17.4
)
Retail used vehicle
104.9
113.0
(8.1
)
(7.2
)
Wholesale
16.5
11.5
5.0
Used vehicle
121.4
124.5
(3.1
)
(2.5
)
Finance and insurance
352.0
352.5
(0.5
)
(0.1
)
Total variable operations
617.9
651.9
(34.0
)
(5.2
)
Parts and service
593.4
567.7
25.7
4.5
Other
(0.2
)
0.3
(0.5
)
Total gross profit
1,211.1
1,219.9
(8.8
)
(0.7
)
AutoNation Finance income
9.4
0.1
9.3
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
842.2
821.9
(20.3
)
(2.5
)
Depreciation and amortization
63.0
61.8
(1.2
)
Other expense, net
1.0
0.3
(0.7
)
Operating income
314.3
336.0
(21.7
)
(6.5
)
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense
(41.8
)
(46.5
)
4.7
Other interest expense
(48.0
)
(42.3
)
(5.7
)
Other income (loss), net
51.2
(13.2
)
64.4
Income before income taxes
$
275.7
$
234.0
$
41.7
17.8
Retail vehicle unit sales:
New
57,482
62,387
(4,905
)
(7.9
)
Used
65,818
68,000
(2,182
)
(3.2
)
123,300
130,387
(7,087
)
(5.4
)
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
New
$
52,382
$
52,064
$
318
0.6
Used
$
27,646
$
26,354
$
1,292
4.9
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
New
$
2,514
$
2,803
$
(289
)
(10.3
)
Used
$
1,594
$
1,662
$
(68
)
(4.1
)
Finance and insurance
$
2,855
$
2,703
$
152
5.6
Total variable operations(1)
$
4,878
$
4,912
$
(34
)
(0.7
)
Operating Percentages
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 (%)
2025 (%)
Revenue mix percentages:
New vehicle
46.0
48.5
Used vehicle
30.0
28.7
Parts and service
18.6
17.4
Finance and insurance, net
5.4
5.3
Other
—
0.1
100.0
100.0
Gross profit mix percentages:
New vehicle
11.9
14.3
Used vehicle
10.0
10.2
Parts and service
49.0
46.5
Finance and insurance
29.1
28.9
Other
—
0.1
100.0
100.0
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
Gross profit:
New vehicle
4.8
5.4
Used vehicle - retail
5.8
6.3
Parts and service
48.6
48.8
Total
18.5
18.2
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
12.9
12.3
Operating income
4.8
5.0
Operating items as a percentage of total gross profit:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
69.5
67.4
Operating income
26.0
27.5
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
($ in millions)
Segment Operating Highlights
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
$ Variance
% Variance
Revenue:
Domestic
$
1,716.6
$
1,717.4
$
(0.8
)
—
Import
2,048.1
2,047.3
0.8
—
Premium luxury
2,441.5
2,576.5
(135.0
)
(5.2
)
Total Franchised Dealerships
6,206.2
6,341.2
(135.0
)
(2.1
)
Corporate and other
345.9
349.2
(3.3
)
(0.9
)
Total consolidated revenue
$
6,552.1
$
6,690.4
$
(138.3
)
(2.1
)
Segment income(1):
Domestic
$
78.1
$
69.0
$
9.1
13.2
Import
113.8
126.2
(12.4
)
(9.8
)
Premium luxury
154.8
178.7
(23.9
)
(13.4
)
Total Franchised Dealerships
346.7
373.9
(27.2
)
(7.3
)
AutoNation Finance income
9.4
0.1
9.3
Corporate and other
(83.6
)
(84.5
)
0.9
Add: Floorplan interest expense
41.8
46.5
(4.7
)
Operating income
$
314.3
$
336.0
$
(21.7
)
(6.5
)
Retail new vehicle unit sales:
Domestic
15,858
16,778
(920
)
(5.5
)
Import
26,779
28,003
(1,224
)
(4.4
)
Premium luxury
14,845
17,606
(2,761
)
(15.7
)
Retail used vehicle unit sales:
Domestic
17,907
18,424
(517
)
(2.8
)
Import
23,034
23,155
(121
)
(0.5
)
Premium luxury
18,174
19,017
(843
)
(4.4
)
Brand Mix - Retail New Vehicle Units Sold
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026 (%)
2025 (%)
Domestic:
Ford, Lincoln
12.1
11.3
Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC
10.4
10.7
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram
5.1
4.9
Domestic total
27.6
26.9
Import:
Toyota
22.7
20.2
Honda
12.3
12.7
Hyundai
3.4
3.5
Subaru
3.9
4.1
Other Import
4.3
4.4
Import total
46.6
44.9
Premium Luxury:
Mercedes-Benz
9.2
9.7
BMW
8.6
9.2
Lexus
3.2
3.5
Audi
1.7
2.1
Jaguar Land Rover
1.9
2.2
Other Premium Luxury
1.2
1.5
Premium Luxury total
25.8
28.2
100.0
100.0
AutoNation Finance
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
$ Variance
Interest margin:
Interest and fee income
$
62.7
$
41.9
$
20.8
Interest expense
(24.4
)
(13.9
)
(10.5
)
Total interest margin
38.3
28.0
10.3
Provision for credit losses
(19.5
)
(18.9
)
(0.6
)
Total interest margin after provision for credit losses
18.8
9.1
9.7
Direct expenses(1)
(9.4
)
(9.0
)
(0.4
)
AutoNation Finance income
$
9.4
$
0.1
$
9.3
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA, Continued
($ in millions)
Capital Allocation
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Capital expenditures
$
56.4
$
75.2
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
$
—
$
69.6
Cash received from divestitures, net of cash relinquished
$
12.7
$
—
Stock repurchases:
Aggregate purchase price(1)
$
300.0
$
224.8
Shares repurchased (in millions)
1.5
1.4
New Vehicle Floorplan Assistance and Expense
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Variance
Floorplan assistance earned (included in cost of sales)
$
30.4
$
31.1
$
(0.7
)
New vehicle floorplan interest expense
(40.0
)
(44.0
)
4.0
Net new vehicle inventory carrying expense
$
(9.6
)
$
(12.9
)
$
3.3
Balance Sheet and Other Highlights
March 31, 2026
December 31, 2025
March 31, 2025
Cash and cash equivalents
$
65.5
$
58.6
$
70.5
Inventory
$
3,444.4
$
3,404.9
$
3,231.6
Floorplan notes payable
$
3,759.0
$
3,828.3
$
3,558.9
Auto loans receivable, net
$
2,371.2
$
2,140.2
$
1,397.7
Non-recourse debt
$
2,185.6
$
1,944.6
$
1,080.2
Non-vehicle debt
$
4,115.9
$
3,979.5
$
3,962.7
Equity
$
2,226.9
$
2,341.1
$
2,403.2
New days supply (industry standard of selling days)
46 days
45 days
38 days
Used days supply (trailing calendar month days)
35 days
38 days
36 days
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA, Continued
($ in millions, except per share data)
Comparable Basis Reconciliations(1)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Income
Income Before
Income Taxes
Income Tax Provision(2)
Effective Tax Rate
Net Income
Diluted Earnings
Per Share(3)
2026
2025
2026
2025
2026
2025
2026
2025
2026
2025
2026
2025
As reported
$
314.3
$
336.0
$
275.7
$
234.0
$
70.3
$
58.5
25.5
%
25.0
%
$
205.4
$
175.5
$
5.85
$
4.45
Decrease in compensation expense related to market valuation changes in deferred compensation obligations(4)
(2.6
)
(1.5
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
—
$
—
Net (gain) loss on equity investments
—
—
(54.0
)
11.5
(13.2
)
2.8
(40.8
)
8.7
$
(1.16
)
$
0.22
Adjusted
$
311.7
$
334.5
$
221.7
$
245.5
$
57.1
$
61.3
25.8
%
25.0
%
$
164.6
$
184.2
$
4.69
$
4.68
Three Months Ended March 31,
SG&A
SG&A as a Percentage of Gross Profit (%)
2026
2025
2026
2025
As reported
$
842.2
$
821.9
69.5
67.4
Excluding:
Decrease in compensation expense related to market valuation changes in deferred compensation obligations
(2.6
)
(1.5
)
Adjusted
$
844.8
$
823.4
69.8
67.5
Free Cash Flow
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
22.2
$
(52.5
)
Net proceeds from (payments of) vehicle floorplan - non-trade
AutoNation (AN - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.69 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.71 per share. This compares to earnings of $4.68 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -0.43%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this auto retailer would post earnings of $4.91 per share when it actually produced earnings of $5.08, delivering a surprise of +3.46%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
AutoNation, which belongs to the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry, posted revenues of $6.55 billion for the quarter ended March 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.6%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $6.69 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
AutoNation shares have added about 2.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 5.3%.
What's Next for AutoNation?While AutoNation has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for AutoNation was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $5.47 on $7.01 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $21.31 on $28.07 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales is currently in the bottom 25% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Titan Machinery (TITN - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended April 2026.
This agriculture and construction equipment seller is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -5.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Titan Machinery's revenues are expected to be $493.22 million, down 17% from the year-ago quarter.
AutoNation (AN - Free Report) reported $6.55 billion in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 2.1%. EPS of $4.69 for the same period compares to $4.68 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.6% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.66 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $4.71, the EPS surprise was -0.43%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how AutoNation performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Retail vehicle unit sales - Total: 123,300 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 128,790.Revenue per vehicle retailed - New: $52,382.00 versus $52,208.53 estimated by four analysts on average.Revenue per vehicle retailed - Used: $27,646.00 compared to the $26,605.80 average estimate based on four analysts.Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Finance and insurance: $2,855.00 versus $2,722.82 estimated by four analysts on average.Retail vehicle unit sales - Used: 65,818 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 67,774.Revenue- Other: $4.4 million compared to the $4.58 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +29.4% year over year.Revenue- New Vehicle: $3.01 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $3.18 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -7.3%.Revenue- Used Vehicle: $1.96 billion compared to the $1.9 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2.2% year over year.Revenue- Parts and service: $1.22 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $1.21 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.9%.Revenue- Finance and insurance net: $352 million compared to the $350.49 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -0.1% year over year.Revenue- Used Vehicle- Retail used vehicle: $1.82 billion compared to the $1.81 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.5% year over year.Revenue- Used Vehicle- Wholesale: $144.2 million versus $130.46 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +10.7% change.View all Key Company Metrics for AutoNation here>>>
Shares of AutoNation have returned +7.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +10.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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Published in earnings earnings-estimates-revisions earnings-surprise
Key Takeaways AutoNation Q1 EPS and revenues missed estimates as sales fell and costs rose year over year.AN's new-vehicle revenues dropped on lower volumes, with units down 7.9% and profit per unit shrinking.AutoNation's parts, service and finance segments showed resilience, supporting overall profit. AutoNation, Inc. (AN - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $4.69 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.71 by 0.43%. Revenues amounted to $6.55 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.66 billion by 1.6%. The top line declined from $6.69 billion reported in the first quarter of 2025.
The results showed a familiar pattern: strong performance in higher-margin businesses was offset by weaker sales volumes and higher costs. Adjusted free cash flow was $255.6 million, with a solid 155% conversion of adjusted net income.
AN’s Top-Line Miss Tied to Lower New-Vehicle RevenuesAN’s consolidated revenues declined as new-vehicle sales softened. New-vehicle revenues fell to $3.01 billion from $3.25 billion a year ago, mainly due to fewer cars being sold and a lower contribution from this segment.
New vehicle retail units sold dropped 7.9% year over year to 57,482 units. The average selling price (ASP) per new vehicle unit retailed was $52,382. Gross profit from the segment was $144.5 million, which declined 17.4% year over year. Gross profit per new vehicle retailed slid to $2,514, indicating profitability pressures in the new-vehicle channel versus the year-ago period.
AN’s Used and F&I Trends Show Resilience Despite VolumesAN’s used-vehicle results were more stable than new vehicles, helped by pricing and mix. Retail used-vehicle revenues increased 1.5% year over year to $1.82 billion, while used vehicle retail units sold declined 3.2% to 65,818 units. ASP per used vehicle unit retailed totaled $27,646. Gross profit from the segment was $104.9 million. Gross profit per used vehicle retailed totaled $1,594.
Revenues from wholesale used vehicles were up 10.7% to $144.2 million. Gross profit rose to $16.5 million from $11.5 million reported a year ago.
Finance and insurance remained a steady earnings contributor. Finance and insurance, net revenues were essentially flat at $352 million, and gross profit from the segment was $352 million. Gross profit per unit in this category improved to $2,855. Combined with used-vehicle dynamics, these steadier lines continued to support gross profit durability even as total retail units fell.
AutoNation’s After-Sales Business Again Carries the MixAutoNation’s parts and service operation delivered the clearest growth signal in the quarter. Parts and service revenues increased 4.9% year over year to $1.22 billion, supported by continued demand for maintenance and repair work.
Profitability remained strong in this area. Parts and service gross profit increased to $593.4 million from $567.7 million last year, making it the biggest contributor to overall profit and helping offset weaker new-vehicle performance.
AN Segment Performance Mixed Across RegionsRevenues from the Domestic segment totaled $1.72 billion. The segment’s income climbed 13.2% to $78.1 million.
Revenues from the Import segment totaled $2.05 billion. The segment’s income declined 9.8% to $113.8 million.
Premium Luxury segment sales fell 5.2% to $2.44 billion. The segmental income declined 13.4% year over year to $154.8 million.
AutoNation’s Expense Profile Pressures Operating LeverageGross profit was mostly steady, but costs moved higher. Total gross profit dipped slightly to $1.21 billion from $1.22 billion, while SG&A expenses rose to $842.2 million from $821.9 million, putting pressure on margins.
Operating income fell 6.5% year over year to $314.3 million. On a comparable basis, it declined to $311.7 million, while adjusted SG&A rose to 69.8% of gross profit from 67.5% last year, highlighting higher costs despite only a small change in gross profit.
AN Finance Growth and Capital Returns Stay in FocusAN’s captive finance platform expanded meaningfully and became a larger contributor to profitability. AutoNation Finance income improved to $9.4 million from $0.1 million a year ago, reflecting stronger net interest dynamics and portfolio scaling.
Cash deployment remained shareholder-friendly. Adjusted free cash flow was $255.6 million, and Capital expenditure in the quarter amounted to $56.4 million. Liquidity stood at roughly $1.6 billion at quarter-end, including $66 million of cash and $1.6 billion of available capacity under the revolving credit facility. At the end of the first quarter, non-vehicle debt was $4.12 billion.
During the quarter, the company bought back 1.5 million shares for $300 million. Currently, AN has $685 million remaining under its share repurchase program.
AN currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Peer ReleasesLithia Motors (LAD - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $7.34 per share, down 4% from $7.66 a year ago. However, the bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.06 by 4%. Quarterly revenues rose 1% year over year to $9.27 billion but came in below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.36 billion by 0.9%.
As of March 31, 2026, Lithia’s cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents totaled $421.3 million, up from $341.8 million at year-end 2025. The board approved a quarterly dividend of 57 cents per share, expected to be paid on May 22, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 8, 2026.
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.05 per share, which declined 15.0% year over year but topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.91 by 4.8%. Total revenues of $7.86 billion dipped 1.1% from the year-ago quarter and missed the consensus mark of $7.95 billion by 1.1%.
The company paid $92.6 million in dividends and repurchased 170,393 shares for $26.4 million. Liquidity was approximately $1.3 billion, including $83.7 million in cash and $1.2 billion of availability under credit agreements and revolving mortgage facilities. Balance sheet leverage increased, with long-term debt rising to $2.21 billion as of March 31, 2026.
$120,000 to fund a rebuild of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents community park; $10,000 to support a Make-A-Wish Arizona pediatric cancer patient from Phoenix Children’s Hospital
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On May 29, AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale donated a combined $130,000 to two Arizona nonprofits during a day of giving led by General Manager, Sara Bishop.
The morning ceremony, held at the AZAFAP community park, featured the presentation of a $120,000 check, the largest single contribution that AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale has presented to the organization.
"Friday marked a meaningful milestone in our 12-year partnership with AZAFAP and our long-term commitment to driving out cancer through Make-A-Wish,” said Sara Bishop, General Manager at AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale. "From investing in the rebuild of this community park to creating a memorable camping experience for Elsa and her family, we are proud to help make a lasting impact across the Phoenix community.”
The event included the unveiling of architectural renderings for the new park, remarks from AutoNation, Subaru and AZAFAP leadership, and family-friendly activities for the families in attendance. The donation builds on a 12-year partnership between AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale and AZAFAP that has now totaled more than $230,000 in donations. Over the course of the partnership, the store has served as the lead sponsor of AZAFAP's annual back-to-school shoe drive, helping hundreds of children receive new shoes each year, and has supported the organization's Operation Warm jacket distribution and its annual holiday bike and toy drive.
"AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale is one of the most consistent and generous partners we have. For more than a decade, Sara and her team have shown up for our families," said Lynn Fox-Embrey, Treasurer of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents. "This investment will transform our community park into a space where our foster and adoptive families can come together for years to come."
The afternoon ceremony, held at the AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale store, marked a $10,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Arizona with a celebration for Elsa, a seven-year-old pediatric cancer patient from Phoenix Children's Hospital. Sara and her team hosted a camping-themed party, inspired by Elsa’s wish to go camping with her family. “We are grateful to Sara and the AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale team, for providing a day of joy for Elsa,” said Fran Mallace, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona “Donations like this are essential to our mission and will help us bring her wish to life, giving Elsa the chance to reconnect with nature and make new memories with her family.”
These donations reflect AutoNation's ongoing commitment to the communities it serves and to driving out cancer through its DRV PNK initiative, which has raised more than $50 million for cancer-related causes to date.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents
The Arizona Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents (AZAFAP) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families throughout Arizona. AZAFAP provides advocacy, education, resources, and meaningful connections to help families navigate the unique journey of caring for children impacted by foster care. Through statewide events, family support programs, training opportunities, and children's basic needs resources, AZAFAP works to strengthen families, build supportive communities, and create positive experiences for children and caregivers alike.
About Make-A-Wish® Arizona
Make-A-Wish Arizona grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish brings the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Founded in Arizona in 1980, Make-A-Wish Arizona has granted more than 8,500 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 650,000 wishes granted worldwide; with more than 400,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. With 57 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information about Make-A-Wish Arizona, visit arizona.wish.org.
AutoNation remains a compelling long-term buy despite near-term economic headwinds and recent underperformance versus the S&P 500. AN faces declining new vehicle sales and margin compression, but resilient parts and service revenues bolster overall profitability. Used vehicle pricing is rising, indicating shifting consumer demand amid economic distress and supporting AN's diversified revenue streams.
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today announced its acquisition of Toyota of Newnan, effective June 8, 2026. The dealership has been renamed AutoNation Toyota Newnan and represents approximately $200 million in annual revenue and 4,900 retail new and used vehicle annual unit sales.
In 2025, AutoNation was the largest Toyota dealer in the U.S. by new vehicle sales volume combined for Toyota and Lexus brands. This acquisition marks AutoNation's 21st Toyota store nationwide and its third Toyota location in Georgia, further strengthening its footprint in a key market. With this addition, AutoNation now operates 19 locations in Georgia, including 1 premium luxury store, 2 domestic stores, 11 import stores, 3 collision centers, 1 AutoNation USA store, and 1 auction center.
"I am delighted to be adding another Toyota Franchise to our portfolio, and welcoming our new colleagues to AutoNation,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer. "This acquisition reflects our approach to growth through the addition of great assets in great markets, building density which yields additional group synergies and drives value creation for our shareholders."
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today announced its acquisition of Toyota of Newnan, effective June 8, 2026. The dealership has been renamed AutoNation Toyota Newnan and represents approximately $200 million in annual revenue and 4,900 retail new and used vehicle annual unit sales.
In 2025, AutoNation was the largest Toyota dealer in the U.S. by new vehicle sales volume combined for Toyota and Lexus brands. This acquisition marks AutoNation's 21st Toyota store nationwide and its third Toyota location in Georgia, further strengthening its footprint in a key market. With this addition, AutoNation now operates 19 locations in Georgia, including 1 premium luxury store, 2 domestic stores, 11 import stores, 3 collision centers, 1 AutoNation USA store, and 1 auction center.
"I am delighted to be adding another Toyota Franchise to our portfolio, and welcoming our new colleagues to AutoNation,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer. "This acquisition reflects our approach to growth through the addition of great assets in great markets, building density which yields additional group synergies and drives value creation for our shareholders."
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
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