Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Makes New $13.07 Million Investment in Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 31,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,066,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. owned 0.23% of Group 1 Automotive at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at $65,721,000. FMR LLC grew its position in Group 1 Automotive by 26.4% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 515,593 shares of the company's stock worth $217,312,000 after purchasing an additional 107,663 shares during the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the 4th quarter valued at $37,119,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 111.1% in the 4th quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 161,216 shares of the company's stock valued at $67,949,000 after purchasing an additional 84,832 shares during the period. Finally, Advent International L.P. raised its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 65.7% in the fourth quarter. Advent International L.P. now owns 203,951 shares of the company's stock valued at $85,961,000 after buying an additional 80,870 shares during the last quarter. 99.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Group 1 Automotive Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:GPI traded up $3.28 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $444.14. The company had a trading volume of 88,750 shares, compared to its average volume of 142,994. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a current ratio of 1.03. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has a 1-year low of $279.86 and a 1-year high of $490.09. The firm has a market cap of $5.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.09 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $404.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $422.58.

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $10.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $9.68 by $0.49. Group 1 Automotive had a return on equity of 18.09% and a net margin of 2.47%. The firm had revenue of $5.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.37 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $9.49 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 23.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will post 41 earnings per share for the current year.

Group 1 Automotive Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Group 1 Automotive's dividend payout ratio is 5.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Michael David Jones sold 1,613 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $405.57, for a total value of $654,184.41. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 8,260 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,350,008.20. The trade was a 16.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 2.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Group 1 Automotive 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.