LSV Asset Management Reduces Stake in Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI)

LSV Asset Management trimmed its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI - Free Report) by 16.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 154,862 shares of the company's stock after selling 31,494 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management owned approximately 1.16% of Group 1 Automotive worth $65,271,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 119.4% during the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 68 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 70.4% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 121 shares of the company's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Group 1 Automotive by 25.6% during 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. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Group 1 Automotive in the 4th quarter valued at $66,000. 99.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Group 1 Automotive Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of GPI traded down $0.82 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $394.43. The stock had a trading volume of 38,745 shares, compared to its average volume of 144,704. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.24. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has a 1-year low of $262.31 and a 1-year high of $490.09. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $425.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $414.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.73 and a beta of 1.05.

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The company reported $10.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $8.77 by $1.25. Group 1 Automotive had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 18.09%. Sell-side analysts predict that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will post 41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Group 1 Automotive Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.51%. This is a boost from Group 1 Automotive's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Group 1 Automotive's dividend payout ratio is presently 5.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GPI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $495.00 to $435.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $460.00 price objective on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $450.33.

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.