AutoNation (AN) Q3 Earnings Preview: What You Should Know Beyond the Headline Estimates

Core Viewpoint - Analysts project AutoNation (AN) will report quarterly earnings of $4.85 per share, a 20.7% increase year over year, with revenues expected to reach $6.86 billion, up 4.1% from the same quarter last year [1]. Earnings Estimates - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised downward by 0.1%, indicating a collective reconsideration by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong relationship between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts estimate 'Revenue- Other' at $5.43 million, reflecting a decrease of 24.5% year over year [5]. - The consensus for 'Revenue- New Vehicle' is $3.33 billion, indicating a 5% increase from the previous year [5]. - 'Revenue- Used Vehicle' is expected to be $1.93 billion, showing a 1.7% increase from the year-ago quarter [5]. - 'Revenue- Parts and service' is projected to reach $1.24 billion, a 5.5% increase from the prior year [6]. Vehicle Sales and Metrics - Total retail vehicle unit sales are expected to be 133,511, up from 129,604 in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - New' is forecasted at $50,923.59, compared to $50,217.00 from the previous year [6]. - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - Used' is estimated at $26,737.32, up from $26,205.00 year over year [7]. - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Finance and insurance' is expected to be $2,639.71, compared to $2,588.00 last year [7]. - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - Used' are projected at 68,140, compared to 66,454 in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - New' are estimated at 65,371, up from 63,150 year over year [8]. - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Used' is forecasted at $1,513.42, down from $1,589.00 last year [8]. - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - New' is expected to be $2,499.23, compared to $2,804.00 from the previous year [9]. Stock Performance - AutoNation shares have returned -0.8% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +1.1% [10].