Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI) Shares Sold by Woodson Capital Management LP

Woodson Capital Management LP reduced its holdings in Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI - Free Report) by 11.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 68,000 shares of the company's stock after selling 9,000 shares during the period. Group 1 Automotive makes up about 4.7% of Woodson Capital Management LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Woodson Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.51% of Group 1 Automotive worth $28,661,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Group 1 Automotive by 119.4% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 68 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Group 1 Automotive in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Group 1 Automotive by 25.6% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 152 shares of the company's stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Group 1 Automotive in the fourth quarter worth $66,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its holdings in Group 1 Automotive by 59.3% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 188 shares of the company's stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the period. 99.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Group 1 Automotive Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:GPI traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $426.73. 98,252 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 143,732. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $279.86 and a fifty-two week high of $490.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $407.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $425.50. The firm has a market cap of $5.52 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61 and a beta of 0.94.

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $10.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $9.68 by $0.49. The business had revenue of $5.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.37 billion. Group 1 Automotive had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 18.09%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 23.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $9.49 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will post 41 earnings per share for the current year.

Group 1 Automotive Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Group 1 Automotive's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $463.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $495.00 to $435.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $460.00 target price on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered shares of Group 1 Automotive from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $454.43.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Michael David Jones sold 1,613 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $405.57, for a total transaction of $654,184.41. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 8,260 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,350,008.20. This trade represents a 16.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Group 1 Automotive Company Profile

Group 1 Automotive, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the automotive retail industry in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company sells new and used cars, light trucks, and vehicle parts, as well as service and insurance contracts; arranges related vehicle financing; and offers automotive maintenance and repair services.