Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for GPI Earnings

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI - Free Report) - Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Group 1 Automotive in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, July 16th. Zacks Research analyst L. Shahu now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $10.02 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $9.44. The consensus estimate for Group 1 Automotive's current full-year earnings is $41.00 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Group 1 Automotive's Q2 2026 earnings at $10.19 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $14.38 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $47.01 EPS.

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. Group 1 Automotive had a net margin of 2.27% and a return on equity of 17.96%. The firm had revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $9.49 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 23.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Group 1 Automotive from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Citigroup increased their price target 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. lowered shares of Group 1 Automotive from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $435.00 to $415.00 in a report on Thursday. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $510.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, June 16th. Finally, Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. They issued a "hold" rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Group 1 Automotive currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $470.14.

Group 1 Automotive Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GPI traded up $4.56 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $415.58. The company's stock had a trading volume of 34,519 shares, compared to its average volume of 151,830. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $440.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $431.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.90. Group 1 Automotive has a one year low of $298.92 and a one year high of $490.09.

Institutional Trading of Group 1 Automotive

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Group 1 Automotive by 119.4% during the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 68 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Elequin Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 90.5% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 80 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 24.8% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 146 shares of the company's stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the first quarter worth about $64,000. 99.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Group 1 Automotive

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 shares were sold at an average price of $405.57, for a total transaction of $654,184.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 8,260 shares in the company, valued at $3,350,008.20. The trade was a 16.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Daniel James Mchenry sold 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $441.71, for a total transaction of $1,325,130.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 16,674 shares in the company, valued at $7,365,072.54. The trade was a 15.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Group 1 Automotive Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Group 1 Automotive's dividend payout ratio is currently 5.61%.

About Group 1 Automotive

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.