Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI) is one of the best used-car stocks to buy, according to hedge funds. On January 29, it was confirmed that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI) had a record year as it delivered impressive fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (GPI) Delivers Record Year of Robust Revenue Growth Revenues in the quarter increased 0.6% to $5.6 billion, as full-year revenue increased 13.2% to $22.6 billion. The company achieved record revenue across all its majo ...

This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. By the numbers: Q4 and full-year 2025 Q4 net sales: $2.1B Up 0.4% year over year 2025 net sales: $8.6B Down 2.2% year over year Q4 net income: $71M Compared with $138M in Q4 2024 2025 net income: $444M Compared with $658M in 2024 Overview: Sales during the fourth quarter of 2025 were essentially flat year over year, said executives on Tuesday’s earnings call. It ...

This story was originally published on WardsAuto. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily WardsAuto newsletter. With new-car margins under pressure, Group 1 Automotive nevertheless reported record full-year revenues of $22.6 billion for 2025, a 13.2% increase over 2024. Houston-based Group 1 said it had record revenues for the year across all business lines, led by Parts & Service, and Finance & Insurance. “Our technicians are more productive now,” Daryl Kenningham, Group 1 pres ...

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are interested in stocks with above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill their potential is challenging [1] Group 1 Automotive Overview - Group 1 Automotive (GPI) is recommended by the Zacks Growth Style Score system, which evaluates a company's growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - The company has a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank, indicating strong potential for growth [2] Earnings Growth - Historical EPS growth rate for Group 1 Automotive is 11.6%, with projected EPS growth of 7.9% this year, surpassing the industry average of 6.6% [5] Asset Utilization Ratio - Group 1 Automotive has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) of 2.22, indicating it generates $2.22 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 1.65 [7] - The company's sales are expected to grow by 3.3% this year, exceeding the industry average of 2.5% [7] Earnings Estimate Revisions - There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Group 1 Automotive, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 0.6% over the past month [9] Conclusion - Group 1 Automotive has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, positioning it well for outperformance in the growth investment space [11]

Core Insights - Group 1 Automotive (GPI) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $8.49, a decrease of 15.3% year over year from $10.02, and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.36 [1] - The company registered net sales of $5.58 billion, slightly up from $5.50 billion in the same quarter last year, but below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.66 billion [1] GPI's Q4 Highlights - New vehicle retail sales fell 3.2% year over year to $2.77 billion, missing projections of $2.87 billion, with total retail new vehicles sold at 55,035 units, down 5% year over year [2] - The average selling price per new vehicle increased by 3.3% year over year to $52,776, while gross profit from new vehicle retail was $181.3 million, down 11.6% year over year [2] Used-Vehicle Sales Performance - Used-vehicle retail sales rose 5.2% year over year to $1.74 billion, surpassing forecasts of $1.67 billion, with total retail used vehicles sold at 55,474 units, a slight increase of 0.2% year over year [3] - The average selling price per used vehicle was $31,407, up 5.1% year over year, but gross profit from this segment decreased by 9.4% to $71.8 million [3] Wholesale and Parts & Service Performance - Used-vehicle wholesale sales increased by 11.4% year over year to $143.6 million, although it missed expectations of $149.4 million, with a gross loss of $2.7 million compared to a loss of $1.7 million in the previous year [4] - Parts and Service revenues rose 2.9% year over year to $700.2 million, with gross profit increasing by 6.3% to $394.2 million [4] Segment Performance - U.S. business segment revenues increased by 0.4% year over year to $4.25 billion, exceeding forecasts of $4.11 billion, but gross profit fell by 0.7% to $691.2 million, missing predictions of $707.9 million [5] - The U.K. business segment saw revenues jump 1.4% year over year to $1.33 billion, missing estimates of $1.52 billion, with gross profit slightly declining by 0.1% to $183.2 million [6] Financial Position - Selling, general and administrative expenses rose by 2.1% year over year to $627.3 million, while cash and cash equivalents decreased to $32.5 million from $34.4 million a year earlier [7] - Total debt increased to $3.70 billion as of December 31, 2025, up from $2.91 billion a year prior [7] Share Repurchase Activity - During the quarter, GPI repurchased 755,792 shares at an average price of $403.60 per share, totaling $305 million, with $378.7 million remaining on its authorized stock buyback program as of December 31, 2025 [8]

Group 1 - Group 1 Automotive (GPI) has experienced a downtrend with a 7.7% decline in stock price over the past four weeks, but it is now in oversold territory, indicating a potential for a turnaround [1] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for GPI is currently at 27.3, suggesting that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting itself and a price reversal could occur soon [5] - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for GPI by 0.6% over the last 30 days, indicating a consensus that the company may report better earnings than previously predicted, which typically leads to price appreciation [7] Group 2 - GPI holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, further supporting the potential for a near-term turnaround [8]

In the U.S., McHenry described fourth-quarter performance as strong across the business, though new vehicle sales declined both on a reported and same-store basis. He said average selling prices continued to rise, while consumers are “increasingly concerned about affordability.” New vehicle gross profits per unit continued to moderate from the past few years’ highs, but management emphasized cost control and process consistency.Chief Financial Officer Daniel McHenry said Group 1 reported fourth-quarter 2025 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company achieved record revenues of $5.6 billion in Q4 and over $3.6 billion in gross profit for the full year, including nearly $1.6 billion from parts and service [6][11] - Adjusted net income for Q4 was $105 million, with adjusted diluted EPS of $8.49 from continuing operations [11] - Gross profit margin in the U.S. saw a slight decline in new vehicle sales, while used vehicle revenues increased approximately 4% [12][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Parts and service gross profit reached record levels, contributing significantly to overall profitability [4][6] - F&I (Finance and Insurance) performance improved, with PRU (Per Retail Unit) increasing by 13% in the U.K. [9][15] - Used vehicle operations held volumes flat year-over-year, but GPUs (Gross Profit per Unit) declined approximately 8% on a same-store basis due to higher acquisition costs [12][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.K., new vehicle same-store volumes declined by 8.2%, while used vehicle same-store revenues increased over 9% [14][15] - The U.K. market faced challenges from weak economic growth, inflation, and increased competition from new entrants, particularly Chinese OEMs [7][31] - Chinese OEMs' market share leveled off at around 12%, impacting competitive dynamics in the U.K. [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence and capital deployment towards high-growth opportunities, including acquisitions of brands like Lexus and Acura [6][7] - Restructuring initiatives in the U.K. aim to improve efficiency and profitability, with ongoing adjustments to the operational model [7][16] - The company emphasizes the importance of aftersales and F&I as stabilizers in the U.K. operations while leveraging U.S. best practices [8][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about navigating near-term challenges while building a resilient platform for long-term growth [10][69] - The macroeconomic environment remains dynamic, with a focus on controlling costs and improving operational efficiency [9][10] - There is a belief in the potential for organic growth in both the U.S. and U.K. markets, particularly in aftersales and used vehicle segments [50][51] Other Important Information - The company disposed of 13 dealerships, generating approximately $775 million in annualized revenue, while also repurchasing over 10% of outstanding shares [7][18] - Liquidity as of December 31 was $883 million, with cash flow generation yielding $699 million of adjusted operating cash flow [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the impairments tied to this quarter? - Impairments were primarily related to the U.S. business, particularly within the Audi brand and the Maryland/D.C. market [21][22] Question: Are there specific productivity actions in the U.S.? - The company is deploying AI and productivity tools across various operations, leading to improved technician productivity and lower costs [24][25] Question: What is the status of the U.K. restructuring plan? - The restructuring is in the early stages, with ongoing adjustments to meet acceptable profit levels [29][30] Question: How do Chinese OEMs impact the market? - Chinese OEMs have leveled off at around 12% market share, but the company feels well-positioned due to its focus on luxury brands [31][32] Question: What are the expectations for used GPUs and SG&A post-restructuring? - Used GPUs are expected to improve with better discipline in the U.K., while SG&A is targeted to be around 80% on a long-term basis [39][40] Question: What is the outlook for lease returns and their impact? - An increase in lease returns is expected to provide a controlled source of premium used cars, positively impacting the used car business [52][53] Question: What are the expectations for the used vehicle market in the U.S.? - The company is optimistic about the used car opportunity, focusing on disciplined acquisition and leveraging AI for smarter purchasing decisions [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, Group 1 Automotive achieved record revenues of $5.6 billion in Q4 and over $3.6 billion in gross profit for the full year, including nearly $1.6 billion from parts and service [6][11][12] - Adjusted net income for Q4 was $105 million, with adjusted diluted EPS of $8.49 from continuing operations [11] - Gross profit from customer pay and warranty increased approximately 5% and 11% respectively, with overall U.S. business demonstrating strong performance [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Parts and service gross profit reached record levels, contributing significantly to overall profitability [4][6] - New vehicle sales in the U.S. declined slightly, while used vehicle operations held volumes flat but increased revenues by approximately 4% [11][12] - F&I gross profits grew nearly 3% in Q4, reflecting improved product penetration across categories [12][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.K., new vehicle same-store volumes declined 8.2%, while used vehicle same-store revenues increased over 9% [14][15] - The U.K. market faced challenges including weak economic growth and increased competition from new entrants, particularly Chinese OEMs, which held a market share of around 12% [7][31] - The macroeconomic environment in the U.K. remains difficult, with inflation and margin pressure impacting operations [7][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Group 1 is focused on operational excellence and capital deployment towards high-value acquisitions, including brands like Lexus and Acura [6][7] - The company is executing restructuring initiatives in the U.K. to improve efficiency and profitability, including reducing headcount and consolidating operations [7][16] - There is an emphasis on leveraging U.S. operational practices in the U.K. to enhance aftersales performance and customer service [8][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about navigating near-term challenges while building a resilient platform for long-term growth [10][69] - The focus remains on controlling costs, managing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiency in response to evolving macroeconomic conditions [9][10] - There is a belief in the potential for organic growth in both the U.S. and U.K. markets, particularly in aftersales and F&I [50][51] Other Important Information - The company disposed of 13 dealerships generating approximately $775 million in annualized revenue while acquiring new dealerships expected to generate $640 million [6][7] - As of December 31, liquidity stood at $883 million, with a rent-adjusted leverage of 3.1 times [16][17] - The company repurchased over 10% of its outstanding shares in 2025, with ongoing buyback plans [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the impairments tied to this quarter? - Impairments were primarily related to the U.S. business, particularly within the Audi brand and the Maryland/D.C. market [21][22] Question: Are there specific productivity actions in the U.S. that could impact SG&A? - AI tools are being deployed across various business areas to enhance productivity, with tangible results in technician retention and operational efficiency [24][25][26] Question: What is the status of the U.K. restructuring plan? - The restructuring is ongoing, with more work to be done, and costs will be adjusted throughout 2026 [29][30] Question: How do Chinese OEMs impact the market? - Chinese OEMs have leveled off at around 12% market share, and while they are not slowing down, Group 1 feels well-positioned due to its focus on luxury brands [31][32] Question: What are the expectations for used GPUs and SG&A in the future? - Used GPUs in the U.S. are currently higher than pre-COVID levels, with expectations for improvement in the U.K. as operational discipline is instilled [39][40] Question: How does the company view lease returns impacting the used car market? - An increase in lease returns is expected to provide a controlled source of premium used cars, which is beneficial for the business [52][53]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, Group 1 Automotive reported revenues of $5.6 billion, gross profit of $874 million, adjusted net income of $105 million, and adjusted diluted EPS of $8.49 from continuing operations [10] - For the full year, the company achieved record gross profit exceeding $3.6 billion, with parts and service gross profit reaching nearly $1.6 billion [5] - The company sold 459,000 new and used vehicles in 2025, marking another record [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. new vehicle sales saw a slight decline, while used vehicle operations held volumes flat, with revenues increasing approximately 4% [10][11] - F&I gross profits grew nearly 3%, reflecting improved product penetration across nearly all categories [11] - In the U.K., same-store revenues grew across most business lines, with used vehicle same-store revenues up over 9% [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.K., new vehicle same-store volumes declined by 8.2%, while local currency GPUs moderated by 3.2% [13] - The U.K. market faced challenges including weak economic growth, persistent inflation, and increased competition from new entrants [6] - Chinese OEMs' market share leveled off at around 12%, impacting competition dynamics [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence, disciplined capital management, and enhancing aftersales services [67] - Strategic acquisitions in growth markets were made, including Lexus and Acura dealerships in the U.S. and Toyota and Lexus dealerships in the U.K. [5] - The company is executing restructuring initiatives in the U.K. to improve operational efficiency and profitability [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about navigating near-term challenges while building long-term value for shareholders [67] - The macro environment in the U.S. remains dynamic, with a focus on cost management and prioritizing areas that generate durable returns [8] - The company anticipates opportunities for organic growth in both the U.S. and U.K. markets [50] Other Important Information - The company disposed of 13 dealerships comprising 32 franchises, generating approximately $775 million in annualized revenue [6] - The company repurchased over 10% of its outstanding shares in 2025, with additional repurchases occurring in early 2026 [18] - As of December 31, the company had liquidity of $883 million, supporting flexible capital allocation [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the impairments tied to this quarter? - The impairments were primarily related to the U.S. business, particularly within the Audi brand and the Maryland/D.C. market [21] Question: Are there specific productivity actions being undertaken in the U.S.? - The company is utilizing AI across various operations, enhancing productivity and reducing technician turnover [25] Question: What is the status of the U.K. restructuring plan? - The restructuring is in the earlier stages, with ongoing adjustments to meet acceptable profit levels [28] Question: How do the economic headwinds compare to increased penetration from Chinese OEMs? - Chinese OEMs' market share has leveled off, but the company feels well-positioned due to its focus on luxury brands [31] Question: What is the expected trend for used GPUs and SG&A as a percentage of GP post-restructuring? - The company targets used GPUs to improve in the U.K. and aims for SG&A to be around 80% on a long-term basis [39] Question: How does the company view the impact of lease returns on the used car business? - The increase in lease returns is expected to provide a controlled source of premium used cars, positively impacting the business [52] Question: What are the expectations for the used vehicle market in the U.S.? - The company is optimistic about the used car opportunity, focusing on disciplined acquisition strategies [58]