Core Insights - Used car prices are experiencing significant increases, with the Manheim Index rising 1.6% in June and a 6.3% year-over-year surge, the highest since August 2022 [1] - The increase in used car prices is attributed to Trump-era auto tariffs and a tightening supply of new vehicles, creating a demand for pre-owned cars [2][5] Market Dynamics - The uncertainty caused by proposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles has led automakers to reduce production plans, resulting in a scarcity of new vehicles and increased demand for used cars [2] - Used vehicle inventory has dropped to a 43-day supply, significantly below normal levels, giving dealers increased pricing power and higher per-unit profits [3] Company Performance - Carvana and AutoNation are well-positioned to capitalize on the current market conditions due to their investments in online platforms and omnichannel sales strategies [4] - Carvana shares have increased over 74% year-to-date, while AutoNation has seen a nearly 26% rally, indicating strong investor interest and favorable margins [5] Investment Opportunities - The current pricing environment and expanding margins suggest that dealership stocks like Carvana and AutoNation may continue to perform well, providing a resilient investment opportunity amid tariff-related uncertainties in the new car market [5]

Market Overview - The first half of 2025 experienced increased volatility and uncertainty due to President Trump's tariffs and a faster-than-expected cooling of inflation, leading to market recovery [1] - Recent months have shown favorable market conditions with easing trade tensions and a reduction in the Middle East crisis [1] Stock Performance and Recommendations - Optimism regarding artificial intelligence is expected to continue supporting stock prices, particularly in technology sectors [2] - Cooling inflation raises expectations for potential rate cuts starting in September 2025, contributing to a positive market outlook [2] - Stocks such as Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL), BGSF, ArcBest Corporation (ARCB), Cardinal Health (CAH), and AutoNation (AN) are recommended for monitoring as the second half of 2025 begins [2][6] Screening Strategy - A screening strategy has been developed to identify stocks based on improving broker recommendations and upward revisions in earnings estimates over the past four weeks [3] - The price/sales ratio is included as a valuation metric, focusing on companies with strong top-line performance [3] Screening Criteria - The top 75 companies with net upgrades in broker ratings over the last four weeks are identified [4] - The top 10 stocks with the highest percentage change in earnings estimates for the upcoming quarter are highlighted [4] - Companies in the bottom 10% of price-to-sales ratios are included for better valuation [4] Company Highlights - Cracker Barrel is focusing on menu innovation and pricing strategies to drive growth, introducing new offerings to attract customers [5] - BGSF has seen a 25% increase in shares over the past month and has a Zacks Rank 1, with earnings estimates rising over 300% in the last 60 days [7] - ArcBest is improving productivity and service quality, expecting a 52.1% increase in earnings per share for 2026 compared to 2025 [8] - Cardinal Health is undergoing strategic improvements to revitalize its business model, with its Medical segment expected to drive growth [9][10] - AutoNation's diversified product portfolio and strategic acquisitions support its market position, currently holding a Zacks Rank 3 [11]

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation's stock has reached a new 52-week high, indicating that the market may have fully recognized its value, yet a deeper analysis reveals that the company remains fundamentally undervalued due to its strong operational performance and strategic focus [1][2][3]. Financial Metrics - AutoNation's trailing price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is approximately 11.89, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average and about half of similar companies in the consumer cyclical sector, suggesting undervaluation [4]. - The price-to-sales ratio (P/S) stands at a low 0.28, indicating that the company's market capitalization is a small fraction of its annual revenue, which is often a sign of undervaluation [4]. Growth Potential - Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of Moderate Buy for AutoNation, with Bank of America raising its price target to $255, indicating potential upside [4]. - The After-Sales division generated a record $568 million in gross profit in Q1 2025, providing a stable, high-margin revenue stream less sensitive to economic cycles [7]. Strategic Operations - AutoNation is expanding its finance company, AutoNation Finance (ANF), which completed its first $700 million asset-backed securitization, enhancing its profit per unit metric [8][9]. - The company repurchased $225 million of its stock in Q1 2025, reflecting management's confidence in the stock's value and reducing the number of shares outstanding, which increases earnings per share (EPS) [10][11]. Market Positioning - AutoNation's strategy focuses on high-margin operations and profitability in the used car segment, with gross profit per used vehicle increasing by 13.1% despite a slight 2% dip in same-store used vehicle sales volume [13][14]. - The company is actively acquiring dealerships, such as a $70 million acquisition in Colorado, to expand its revenue and market presence [12]. Investment Narrative - AutoNation presents a compelling case for value-oriented investors, showcasing a robust business model that generates stable profits beyond just car sales [15][16].

Group 1 - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, access to the Zacks 1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens to enhance investment confidence [1][2] - The Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, providing complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank [2][3] Group 2 - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] - The Momentum Score assesses trends in stock prices and earnings outlook, utilizing factors like one-week price change and monthly percentage change in earnings estimates [5] Group 3 - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, serving as an important indicator alongside the Zacks Rank to identify stocks with attractive value, growth forecasts, and promising momentum [6] - The Zacks Rank employs earnings estimate revisions to simplify the process of building a winning portfolio, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [7][8] Group 4 - AutoNation, Inc. is a major automotive retailer in the U.S., providing vehicle sales, maintenance, parts, and financing services [12] - AutoNation holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong performance potential [12][13] - The company's shares have increased by 8.4% over the past four weeks, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, raising the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.46 to $18.75 per share [13]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [3][4] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [4] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, appealing to value investors [4] Growth Score - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score identifies optimal times to invest based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, catering to momentum traders [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive rating that highlights stocks with attractive value, growth potential, and momentum [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8][9] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, which can be overwhelming for investors [10] Stock Example: AutoNation - AutoNation, Inc. is a leading automotive retailer in the U.S., offering vehicle sales, maintenance, and financing services [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of A and a Value Style Score of A, AutoNation has a forward P/E ratio of 10.48, indicating attractive valuation [12][13] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates have increased the Zacks Consensus Estimate to $18.75 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 1.6%, making it a noteworthy consideration for investors [13]

Core Points - AutoNation, Inc. has launched a new Drive Pink campaign focused on pediatric patients, partnering with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, reinforcing its commitment to cancer patients and expanding its philanthropic efforts [1][5] - The campaign includes a nationwide cash register donation initiative across over 300 stores, allowing customers to round up payments or donate at checkout, with all funds supporting local pediatric cancer treatments [2][5] - AutoNation has raised $70,000 to purchase a vehicle for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, bringing total support for the organization to over $460,000 since 2021 [3] - A new 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Select passenger van will be featured at the "Rally Funds the Cure" event, symbolizing support for children diagnosed with cancer [4] - AutoNation emphasizes a holistic approach to community impact, providing financial support and practical assistance, with associates volunteering their time to help partner nonprofits and hospitals [5][7] Company Overview - AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., offering a wide range of new and used vehicles, financing, parts, and maintenance services [7] - The company has raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes through its Drive Pink initiative, demonstrating a commitment to positively impacting communities [7] Partner Organizations - Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised over $9 billion for children's hospitals, focusing on critical treatments and healthcare services [8][9] - The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is dedicated to funding research and clinical trials for less toxic and more effective childhood cancer treatments [11]

Group 1 - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] - The Zacks Style Scores provide ratings based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, helping investors identify stocks with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Group 2 - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperforming the market [3] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3][4] - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future growth potential based on earnings and sales projections [4] - The Momentum Score identifies stocks with favorable price trends, utilizing recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] Group 3 - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [6] - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7][10] Group 4 - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [10][11] Group 5 - AutoNation, Inc. is a major automotive retailer in the U.S., offering vehicle sales, maintenance, and financing services [12] - AutoNation holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has a VGM Score of A, indicating solid performance potential [12] - The company has seen a 4.1% increase in shares over the past four weeks, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 [13]

Company Overview - AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering new and used vehicles, maintenance and repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts, and financing options through third-party sources [12]. Investment Ratings - AutoNation has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid position in the market [12]. - The company also has a Value Style Score of A, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 9.95, which is appealing to value investors [13]. Earnings Estimates - In the last 60 days, five analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.43 to $18.67 per share [13]. - AutoNation has an average earnings surprise of 1.6%, suggesting a positive outlook for its earnings performance [13]. Investment Considerations - With a strong Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AutoNation is recommended for investors' consideration [13].

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation, Inc. successfully completed its first asset-backed securitization, raising $700 million for its automobile loan portfolio at a competitive fixed interest rate of 4.90% [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The asset-backed securitization achieved a final interest rate lower than the cost of the debt it will replace, indicating effective financial management [2]. - An initial advance rate of 98% was accomplished, showcasing strong demand for the offering [2]. - The size of the offering was increased by $200 million, providing additional capital to support the company's capital allocation priorities [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering a wide range of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and maintenance services [3]. - The company has a nationwide network of dealerships and is recognized for its brand strength [3]. - AutoNation has raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, reflecting its commitment to community engagement and social responsibility [3].

Company Overview - AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, involved in retailing new and used vehicles, offering vehicle maintenance and repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts, and vehicle protection products [11] - The company also arranges financing for vehicle purchases through third-party sources [11] Investment Ratings - AutoNation holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid position in the market [11] - The company has a Value Style Score of A, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 10.03, which is appealing to value investors [12] Earnings Estimates - In the last 60 days, five analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.43 to $18.67 per share [12] - AutoNation has an average earnings surprise of 1.6%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [12] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AutoNation is recommended for investors' consideration [12]