Core Insights - Penske Automotive Group reported a record gross profit of $1.3 billion, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year [1] - The company achieved a 4% increase in earnings before taxes to $337 million and a 5% increase in earnings per share to $3.78 [1] - Revenue remained flat at $7.7 billion compared to the same period in 2024, with net income attributable to common stockholders increasing by 4% to $250 million [1][3] Financial Performance - For the second quarter of 2025, total revenue was $7.7 billion, unchanged from the previous year, while net income rose to $250 million from $241.2 million [1][3] - Earnings per share increased to $3.78 from $3.61, driven by a positive impact from foreign currency exchange of $136.6 million [1][3] - For the first half of 2025, revenue increased by 1% to $15.3 billion, with net income rising 8% to $494.3 million [3][4] Retail Automotive Operations - Retail automotive same-store revenue decreased by 1%, with new vehicle sales down 2% and used vehicle sales down 1% [5][6] - Retail automotive gross profit increased by 3% to $1.1 billion, driven by a 9% increase in service and parts revenue [6][7] - Total new units delivered decreased by 6%, while used units delivered decreased by 16% [4][20] Retail Commercial Truck Dealerships - Retail commercial truck revenue increased by 6% to $943.6 million, with retail unit sales rising 2% [8][19] - For the first half of 2025, revenue from retail commercial trucks increased by 5% to $1.8 billion [8][19] Penske Transportation Solutions - Penske Transportation Solutions recorded earnings of $53.5 million for the second quarter, up from $52.9 million in the previous year [9] - The company operates a managed fleet of over 414,000 trucks, tractors, and trailers [9] Share Repurchase and Capital Allocation - The company repurchased 885,272 shares of common stock in the first half of 2025, representing approximately 1.3% of its outstanding shares [10] - As of June 30, 2025, the company had approximately $2.3 billion in liquidity, including $155 million in cash [10] Corporate Developments - The company completed the acquisition of a Ferrari dealership in Italy, expected to generate annualized revenue of $40 million [11] - The Board of Directors approved a 4.8% increase in the quarterly dividend to $1.32 per share, marking the 19th consecutive quarterly increase [11]

Group 1 - Penske Automotive Group, Inc. announced a quarterly dividend increase of 4.8% to $1.32 per share, marking the 19th consecutive quarterly increase [1][2] - The dividend is payable on September 3, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2025 [1] - The increase reflects the company's strong balance sheet and cash flow, as stated by President Robert H. Kurnick, Jr. [2] Group 2 - Penske Automotive Group operates internationally, with dealerships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia [2] - The company is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America and employs over 28,700 people worldwide [2] - Penske Automotive owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions, which manages a large trucking fleet and provides transportation and supply chain solutions [2]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Penske Automotive (PAG) despite higher revenues, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Group 1: Earnings Expectations - Penske Automotive is expected to report quarterly earnings of $3.56 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 1.4% [3]. - Revenue projections stand at $7.87 billion, indicating a 2.2% increase from the previous year [3]. Group 2: Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.78% over the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate for Penske is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of +2.60% [12]. Group 3: Earnings Surprise Prediction - A positive Earnings ESP reading suggests a potential earnings beat, especially when combined with a strong Zacks Rank [10]. - Penske currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4, complicating predictions of an earnings beat despite the positive Earnings ESP [12]. Group 4: Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Penske exceeded the expected earnings of $3.27 per share, achieving $3.39, which was a surprise of +3.67% [13]. - Over the past four quarters, Penske has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times [14]. Group 5: Industry Comparison - Lithia Motors (LAD), a competitor in the automotive retail sector, is projected to report earnings of $9.55 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 21.4% [18]. - Lithia's revenue is expected to reach $9.53 billion, up 3.3% from the previous year, with a consensus EPS estimate revised down by 0.7% [19].

Industry Overview - The Zacks Auto Retail and Wholesale industry is experiencing significant changes due to evolving consumer habits, policy shifts, and strategic actions by key players [1][3] - The industry is consumer-driven, with performance closely tied to economic conditions, where increased disposable income typically leads to higher vehicle purchases [3] - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the industry's shift towards online tools and e-commerce, a trend expected to continue [3] Factors Influencing Industry Dynamics - Car affordability has seen a modest improvement due to rising consumer incomes and dealer incentives, but tariffs on imported vehicles continue to pose challenges, potentially adding up to $5,700 to the cost of new cars [4] - The EV market is in a transitional phase, with first-half 2025 U.S. EV sales reaching 607,089 units, a 1.5% year-over-year increase, but a decline in demand is anticipated in the fourth quarter without government subsidies [5] - Auto retailers are making strategic acquisitions to enhance market share and diversify offerings, while also investing in digital platforms to meet changing customer expectations [2][6][7] Market Performance - The Zacks Auto Retail & Wholesale industry ranks 91, placing it in the top 37% of 245 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [8][9] - Over the past year, the industry has outperformed the S&P 500, returning 16.3% compared to the S&P 500's 12.6% growth [10] Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 8.95X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.64X and the sector's 20.66X [13] Company Highlights - **Penske Automotive**: Completed acquisitions in 2024 representing nearly $2.1 billion in annualized revenues, with a strong order backlog and a low long-term debt-to-capitalization ratio of 15.5% [17][18] - **Lithia Motors**: Expanded its footprint through acquisitions, adding $3.8 billion in 2023 and $5.9 billion in 2024 in annualized revenues, with a focus on digital platforms to enhance customer experience [22][23] - **AutoNation**: Continues to grow through strategic acquisitions and digital transformation, with a recent purchase expected to add $200 million in annual revenues [25][26] - **Group 1 Automotive**: Achieved significant revenue growth through acquisitions, adding over $1 billion in 2023 and $3.9 billion in 2024, while focusing on an omnichannel strategy [31][32]

Core Viewpoint - Penske Automotive Group, Inc. will release its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, on July 30, 2025, and will hold a conference call to discuss these results later that day [1][2]. Company Overview - Penske Automotive Group, Inc. is a diversified international transportation services company and a leading automotive and commercial truck retailer, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan [3]. - The company operates dealerships in multiple countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia, and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner [3]. - Penske Automotive employs over 28,700 people globally and owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions, which manages a large trucking fleet in North America [3]. Financial Communication - An investor presentation and earnings press release will be available on the company's website starting July 30, 2025 [2]. - A conference call will take place at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on the same day, with specific dial-in numbers provided for U.S. and international participants [2]. - A replay of the conference call will be accessible for 7 days after the event [2].

Core Insights - Penske Automotive Group has acquired a Ferrari dealership in Modena, Italy, enhancing its luxury brand presence in the region to 29 automotive retail locations [1][2] - The new dealership is expected to generate annualized revenue of approximately $40 million [1] Company Overview - Penske Automotive Group, Inc. is a diversified international transportation services company with operations in eight countries and across four continents [2] - The company operates dealerships in various countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia, and is a major retailer of commercial trucks in North America [2] - Penske Automotive employs over 28,700 people globally and holds a 28.9% stake in Penske Transportation Solutions, which manages a large fleet of over 428,000 trucks, tractors, and trailers [2]

Company Overview - Penske Automotive Group, Inc. operates automotive and commercial truck dealerships across multiple countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and also distributes commercial vehicles and related services primarily in Australia and New Zealand [12] Investment Ratings - Penske Automotive is currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid overall performance [13] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 6.8% over the past four weeks [13] Earnings Estimates - For fiscal 2025, four analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.14 to $13.94 per share [13] - Penske Automotive has an average earnings surprise of 2.6%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [13] Investment Considerations - With a strong Zacks Rank and high Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Penske Automotive is recommended for investors looking for potential opportunities [14]

Industry Trends - Meetings with top management of Group 1 Automotive Inc (GPI) and Penske Automotive Group Inc (PAG) highlighted industry trends in tariff responses by OEMs, new and used vehicle sales, and parts and service trends [1] - Both companies experienced increased buying by OEMs in anticipation of tariffs being imposed [2] Sales Performance - There was a sharp uptick in sales during late March, but the trend began to normalize by mid-April, establishing a new normalized run-rate by mid- to late-May and into June [3] - Consumer health remains resilient with strong in-store traffic [3] - The used car market continues to be challenging for both Group 1 Automotive and Penske Automotive [3] Stock Performance - Shares of Group 1 Automotive declined by 0.48% to $446.20, while Penske Automotive's stock increased by 1.25% to $177.56 at market close on Tuesday [4] Analyst Ratings - Analyst Rajat Gupta reiterated an Overweight rating and price target of $435 for Group 1 Automotive, while maintaining an Underweight rating and price target of $160 for Penske Automotive [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of utilizing Zacks Premium for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence in investing [1] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Zacks Style Scores are designed to assist investors in selecting stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market within a 30-day timeframe, using an alphabetic rating system from A to F [2] - Stocks rated A have the best chance of outperforming, while those rated F have the least potential [2] Categories of Style Scores - **Value Score**: Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks by analyzing financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] - **Growth Score**: Evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to identify those with sustainable growth potential [4] - **Momentum Score**: Targets stocks experiencing upward or downward trends in price or earnings, using metrics like one-week price change and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] - **VGM Score**: A composite score that combines Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive view of a stock's attractiveness [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, which can be overwhelming for investors [9] Investment Strategy Recommendations - For optimal returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks rated 3 (Hold) should also have Style Scores of A or B to maximize upside potential [10] - The direction of earnings estimate revisions is crucial; stocks with lower ranks but high Style Scores may still face price declines [11] Company Spotlight: Penske Automotive Group (PAG) - Penske Automotive Group operates automotive and commercial truck dealerships across multiple countries and employs over 28,900 people globally [12] - PAG holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating potential for momentum investors [13] - The company has seen a 2.5% increase in shares over the past four weeks, with positive earnings estimate revisions for fiscal 2025 [13] - With a solid Zacks Rank and strong Style Scores, PAG is recommended for investors' consideration [14]

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Sty ...