AN
NEUTRAL
$214.26
Live
AutoNation, Inc. · NYSE
Target $239.3
(+11.7%)
$148.33
52W Range
$228.92
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Jan 24, 2026
Market cap
$7.81B
P/E
12.9
ROE
27.2%
Profit margin
2.4%
Debt/Equity
3.9
Dividend yield
N/A
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
65%
AutoNation's deterministic health scores raise significant concerns, with a weak Piotroski F-Score of 3/9 indicating poor financial health, and no available Altman Z-Score limits distress risk assessment. Despite this, the company shows strong recent earnings growth (22.6% YoY) and beats on earnings surprises, supported by a bullish analyst recommendation and a forward P/E of 10.12 that appears cheap relative to sector peers. However, high leverage (Debt/Equity of 3.90), weak liquidity (Current Ratio 0.79), and declining Q/Q EPS (-8.2%) offset these positives. The stock trades below the growth-based intrinsic value of $490 but above the conservative Graham Number of $159.54, suggesting mixed valuation signals.
Key Strengths
Strong year-over-year earnings growth of 22.6% and consistent earnings beat history (3 out of last 4 quarters)
Attractive forward P/E of 10.12, significantly below sector average of 52.74, indicating potential undervaluation
High return on equity (ROE) of 27.16%, well above sector average of 6.55%, reflecting efficient use of equity capital
Analyst consensus is 'buy' with a target price of $239.30, implying ~11.7% upside
Revenue growth of 6.9% YoY in a mature industry shows operational momentum
Key Risks
Very weak Piotroski F-Score of 3/9, signaling poor financial health and potential instability
High debt burden with Debt/Equity ratio of 3.90, well above sector average of 1.59, increasing financial risk
Poor liquidity position: Current Ratio of 0.79 and Quick Ratio of 0.17 indicate potential difficulty meeting short-term obligations
Negative technical trend score of 10/100 suggests weak price momentum and bearish market sentiment
Declining Q/Q EPS growth of -8.2% raises concerns about near-term earnings sustainability
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$239.3
+11.7% above current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
52
Moderate
75
68
60
35
20
AI Verdict
Neutral with upside potential if financial health improves
Key drivers: Low Piotroski score dragging down health, Strong ROE and earnings growth supporting future outlook, Undemanding valuation relative to sector, Bearish technicals and weak liquidity as headwinds
Confidence
70%
Value
75/100
Ref P/E, PEG, Graham Number
Positives
- Forward P/E of 10.12 is well below sector average
- Price/Sales of 0.28 indicates low revenue multiple
- Current price below analyst target of $239.30
Watchpoints
- Price above Graham Number of $159.54, limiting defensive appeal
- High P/B of 3.15 may reflect leverage rather than asset efficiency
Future
68/100
Ref Growth rates
Positives
- 22.6% YoY earnings growth
- Strong historical earnings surprise average (7.49%)
- Revenue growth of 6.9% in a stable industry
Watchpoints
- Q/Q EPS decline of 8.2%
- No PEG ratio due to uncertainty in growth sustainability
Past
60/100
Ref Historical trends
Positives
- Consistent revenue and earnings growth over multiple years
- History of beating earnings estimates in 18 of last 25 quarters
Watchpoints
- Earnings volatility evident in quarterly swings
- Recent two quarters missed estimates (Oct 2024, Jul 2024)
Health
35/100
Ref Altman Z-Score, Piotroski F-Score
Positives
- ROA of 6.53% is positive and above sector average
- Operating margin of 4.70% shows some profitability
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score of 3/9 indicates weak financial health
- Debt/Equity of 3.90 is very high
- Current and Quick Ratios below 1.0 signal liquidity risk
Dividend
20/100
Ref Yield, Payout
Positives
- Payout ratio of 0% allows capital retention
Watchpoints
- No dividend yield or payout history
- Dividend Strength score of 0/100 indicates no shareholder returns via dividends
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$214.26
Analyst Target
$239.3
Upside/Downside
+11.7%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for AN and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-01-23
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AN
AutoNation, Inc.
Primary
|
+183.9% | +87.3% | +15.7% | +5.4% | +0.9% | -0.3% |
|
LKQ
LKQ Corporation
Peer
|
-22.7% | -41.2% | -23.4% | +8.1% | -0.9% | +7.8% |
|
IBP
Installed Building Products, Inc.
Peer
|
+146.5% | +151.4% | +80.2% | +11.0% | +13.8% | -3.5% |
|
BIRK
Birkenstock Holding plc
Peer
|
-1.6% | -1.6% | -32.6% | -25.0% | -6.8% | +2.8% |
|
GAP
The Gap, Inc.
Peer
|
-9.6% | +193.6% | +24.0% | +7.9% | +1.0% | -7.5% |
AN
AutoNation, Inc.
Primary
5Y
+183.9%
3Y
+87.3%
1Y
+15.7%
6M
+5.4%
1M
+0.9%
1W
-0.3%
LKQ
LKQ Corporation
Peer
5Y
-22.7%
3Y
-41.2%
1Y
-23.4%
6M
+8.1%
1M
-0.9%
1W
+7.8%
IBP
Installed Building Products, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+146.5%
3Y
+151.4%
1Y
+80.2%
6M
+11.0%
1M
+13.8%
1W
-3.5%
BIR
Birkenstock Holding plc
Peer
5Y
-1.6%
3Y
-1.6%
1Y
-32.6%
6M
-25.0%
1M
-6.8%
1W
+2.8%
GAP
The Gap, Inc.
Peer
5Y
-9.6%
3Y
+193.6%
1Y
+24.0%
6M
+7.9%
1M
+1.0%
1W
-7.5%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
12.9
Forward P/E
10.12
PEG Ratio
N/A
P/B Ratio
3.15
P/S Ratio
0.28
EV/Revenue
0.63
EV/EBITDA
10.51
Market Cap
$7.81B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
2.38%
Operating Margin
4.7%
Gross Margin
17.82%
ROE
27.16%
ROA
6.53%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+6.9%
Earnings Growth
+22.6%
Q/Q Revenue Growth
N/A
Q/Q Earnings Growth
+15.8%
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
3.9
High debt
Current Ratio
0.79
Weak
Quick Ratio
0.17
Poor
Cash/Share
$2.68
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-02-06
$N/A
2025-10-23
$5.01
+3.6% surprise
2025-07-25
$5.46
+16.1% surprise
2025-04-25
$4.45
+2.8% surprise
Consumer Cyclical Sector Comparison
Comparing AN against 386 companies in the Consumer Cyclical sector
(23 bullish, 133 neutral, 230 bearish)
P/E Ratio
12.9
This Stock
vs
33.98
Sector Avg
-62.0%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
27.16%
This Stock
vs
-43.92%
Sector Avg
-161.8%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
2.38%
This Stock
vs
-5.4%
Sector Avg
-144.0%
(Weaker)
Debt to Equity
3.9
This Stock
vs
1.51
Sector Avg
+158.0%
(Higher)
Revenue Growth
6.9%
This Stock
vs
28.42%
Sector Avg
-75.7%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
0.79
This Stock
vs
2.46
Sector Avg
-67.7%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AN
AutoNation, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $7.81B | 12.9 | 27.2% | 2.4% | $214.26 | |
|
LKQ
LKQ Corporation
|
NEUTRAL | $7.75B | 13.15 | 9.5% | 4.4% | $30.38 | Compare |
|
IBP
Installed Building Products, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $8.04B | 30.78 | 37.5% | 8.9% | $298.53 | Compare |
|
BIRK
Birkenstock Holding plc
|
NEUTRAL | $7.27B | 18.14 | 13.0% | 16.6% | $39.55 | Compare |
|
GAP
The Gap, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $9.13B | 11.73 | 23.1% | 5.3% | $24.99 | Compare |
AN
AutoNation, Inc.
NEUTRAL
Mkt Cap
$7.8B
P/E
12.9
ROE
27.2%
Price
$214.26
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-02 | BURDICK RICHARD L | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | GRUSKY ROBERT R | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | EDELSON DAVID B | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | MIKAN GEORGE LAWRENCE III | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | LUTOFF-PERLO LISA A | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | BENNETT CLAIRE M. | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | JENKINS NORMAN K | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2026-01-02 | TRAVISANO JACQUELINE A | Director | Stock Award | 1,210 | - |
| 2025-11-18 | BURDICK RICHARD L | Director | Gift | 423 | - |
| 2025-10-31 | PARENT JEFF | Chief Operating Officer | Stock Award | 288 | - |
| 2025-08-07 | SZLOSEK THOMAS A | Chief Financial Officer | Stock Award | 3,194 | - |
BURDICK RICHARD L
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
GRUSKY ROBERT R
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
EDELSON DAVID B
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
MIKAN GEORGE LAWRENCE III
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
LUTOFF-PERLO LISA A
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
BENNETT CLAIRE M.
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
JENKINS NORMAN K
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
TRAVISANO JACQUELINE A
Director
2026-01-02
1,210 shares
BURDICK RICHARD L
Director
2025-11-18
423 shares
PARENT JEFF
Chief Operating Officer
2025-10-31
288 shares
SZLOSEK THOMAS A
Chief Financial Officer
2025-08-07
3,194 shares
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
Wall Street Analysts
Professional analyst ratings and price targets
Consensus
BUY
10 analysts
Barclays
2026-01-21
Overweight
Overweight
JP Morgan
2026-01-16
Neutral
Overweight
Wells Fargo
2026-01-12
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Morgan Stanley
2025-12-08
Overweight
Overweight
Evercore ISI Group
2025-11-24
Outperform
Outperform
Barclays
2025-11-12
Overweight
JP Morgan
2025-11-05
Neutral
Neutral
Morgan Stanley
2025-11-05
Overweight
Overweight
Citigroup
2025-10-30
Buy
Buy
Wells Fargo
2025-10-15
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning AN from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.