Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG) Price Target Raised to $204.00

Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG) had its price objective lifted by investment analysts at UBS Group from $193.00 to $204.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. UBS Group‘s target price points to a potential upside of 5.88% from the company’s current price.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on ABG. Bank of America restated a “buy” rating and set a $232.00 price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Asbury Automotive Group in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Asbury Automotive Group from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Asbury Automotive Group from $230.00 to $184.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners upgraded shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $222.12.

Asbury Automotive Group Stock Down 1.2%

Asbury Automotive Group stock traded down $2.32 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $192.67. 536,524 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 256,160. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $189.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $205.24. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The company has a market cap of $3.46 billion, a PE ratio of 7.21, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.78. Asbury Automotive Group has a one year low of $160.30 and a one year high of $258.74.

Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $6.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.42 by ($0.26). Asbury Automotive Group had a return on equity of 12.72% and a net margin of 2.83%. The firm had revenue of $4.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $7.17 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Asbury Automotive Group will post 25.64 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Asbury Automotive Group

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter worth approximately $593,499,000. Cooke & Bieler LP bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the third quarter worth approximately $65,167,000. Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group during the second quarter valued at about $60,592,000. Lakewood Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the second quarter valued at $35,919,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,142,000.

Asbury Automotive Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Asbury Automotive Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Craig Hallum upgraded ABG from “hold” to “buy” and set a $250 price target, implying substantial upside. The firm’s view suggests the recent weakness may have created an attractive entry point. Craig Hallum upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target to $204 from $193 while maintaining a neutral rating. The increase indicates improved valuation expectations, although UBS remains cautious on the company’s near-term outlook. UBS price target increase
• Neutral Sentiment: Some coverage characterized ABG as potentially inexpensive following the target-price increases, with a low earnings multiple supporting the value argument. However, investors remain focused on leverage and the durability of earnings. ABG valuation analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Asbury reported third-quarter earnings of $6.16 per share, below the $6.42–$6.46 consensus range, while revenue of $4.41 billion missed the $4.51 billion estimate. EPS fell from $7.17 a year earlier, and revenue declined 8.1% year over year. Asbury Q3 earnings miss
• Negative Sentiment: Investor concerns about leverage remain a key overhang. The earnings discussion highlighted balance-sheet risk despite the company’s profitability, making the earnings miss more significant for shareholders. ABG leverage risk analysis

Asbury Automotive Group Company Profile

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc is a U.S.-based automotive retailer that operates franchised and independent dealerships. Its dealerships sell new and used vehicles from a range of domestic, import and luxury automobile brands, and provide related services throughout the vehicle ownership cycle.

The company’s operations include automotive repair and maintenance, parts and accessories, collision repair, vehicle financing and insurance products, and other dealership services. Asbury also supports vehicle sales and service through digital retailing and online customer tools.

Founded in 1995, Asbury has expanded through acquisitions and serves customers across multiple markets in the United States.