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].

Core Viewpoint - Lithia Motors, Inc. is experiencing a shift in analyst price targets, reflecting a more conservative outlook despite strong financial performance and positive investor sentiment [2][4][6] Financial Performance - Lithia Motors reported a 19.2% increase in net income and a 25.4% growth in earnings per share (EPS) in Q2, indicating robust financial health [4][6] - The stock has risen by 18.9% since the last earnings report, suggesting positive investor sentiment [3] Price Target Adjustments - The average price target for Lithia Motors has decreased from $373.6 to $327 over the past year, indicating a more cautious perspective from analysts [2][6] - Wells Fargo and JPMorgan have set higher price targets of $350, reflecting optimism about Lithia's future growth [2][5][6] Market Outlook - Analysts are anticipating growth in earnings for the upcoming earnings report, although there are concerns that the company may not meet expectations [3] - JPMorgan's price target adjustment from $320 to $350 considers the mix of electric vehicles and challenges in the UK market, suggesting a balanced medium-term outlook [5]

Group 1 - AutoNation (AN) is a notable stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector, currently outperforming its peers with a year-to-date return of approximately 27.1% compared to the sector average of 5.1% [4] - The Zacks Rank system indicates that AutoNation holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting improved analyst sentiment and a stronger earnings outlook, with a 5.2% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past 90 days [3] - AutoNation is part of the Automotive - Retail and Wholesale industry, which includes 10 companies and is currently ranked 18 in the Zacks Industry Rank, outperforming the industry's average gain of 1.2% this year [5] Group 2 - Dollar General (DG) is another strong performer in the Retail-Wholesale sector, with a year-to-date return of 34.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by a 6.4% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the past three months [4][5] - The Retail - Discount Stores industry, to which Dollar General belongs, is ranked 32 and has seen a gain of 3.5% this year, indicating a relatively weaker performance compared to AutoNation [6]

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation, Inc. will release its financial results for Q3 2025 on October 23, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call to discuss these results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, will be announced on October 23, 2025 [1]. - A conference call and audio webcast will take place on the same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results [1]. Group 2: Accessing the Conference Call - The conference call can be accessed via telephone at 833-470-1428 with Conference ID: 500167 or through AutoNation's investor relations website [2]. - The webcast will be available on AutoNation's website after the call and can be accessed until November 13, 2025 [2]. Group 3: 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 [3]. - The company has raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes through DRV PNK, highlighting its commitment to community service [3].

Core Viewpoint - CarMax, Inc. is facing financial challenges reflected in its recent stock performance, but a new price target from RBC Capital suggests potential for recovery and growth in the future [2][3][6] Company Overview - CarMax, Inc. is a leading used car retailer in the United States, known for its no-haggle pricing and extensive inventory [1] - The company operates through two segments: CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance [1] - CarMax competes with major players in the automotive retail industry, including AutoNation and Penske Automotive Group [1] Financial Performance - CarMax's stock price is currently at $45.60, reflecting a significant decline of 20.07% following its second-quarter earnings report, which did not meet market expectations [2][3][6] - The stock has fluctuated between a low of $42.75 and a high of $46.65 on the current trading day [4] - Over the past year, the stock reached a high of $91.25 and a low of $42.75 [4] - The company's market capitalization is approximately $6.84 billion, indicating its significant presence in the market despite recent challenges [4][6] Market Activity - The trading volume for the day is 28.42 million shares, indicating active investor interest [5] - RBC Capital has set a new price target for CarMax at $59, suggesting a potential increase of 29.39% from the current price [2][6]

Core Insights - AutoNation has raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes, including $4 million last year, and has delivered more than 36,000 Totes for Hope to cancer patients [6][11] - The company continues its year-round commitment to cancer fundraising through its DRV PNK initiative, which supports various cancer prevention, education, research, treatment, and survivorship programs [6][8] - AutoNation's associates have actively participated in fundraising events, raising significant amounts for local children's hospitals and cancer research [3][5] Fundraising and Contributions - AutoNation associates from 17 locations in Phoenix raised over $80,000 for Phoenix Children's Hospital and participated in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, raising $540,000 for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center [3] - In Georgia, associates from 13 stores raised over $75,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer during a community event [5] - The company has generated more than $2 million through DRV PNK to support pediatric cancer initiatives [7] Community Engagement - AutoNation's associates delivered Totes for Hope filled with comfort items to pediatric cancer patients at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and other facilities nationwide [4] - The company donated a new vehicle to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to support its operations [4][7] - AutoNation's DRV PNK initiative has become the cornerstone of its philanthropic efforts, funding groundbreaking research and patient programs across the country [10] Partnerships and Support - DRV PNK supports a wide range of cancer organizations, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and the American Cancer Society [9][10] - Customers at AutoNation locations can contribute to cancer-related causes at checkout, with nearly $2 million raised through customer donations since partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation [8]

Group 1 - AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) has shown strong performance over the past year, with shares gaining over 20% [1] - Despite uncertainties around new car sales due to auto tariffs, enduring service demand and ongoing capital returns have supported AutoNation's results [1] - The company has over fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on macro views and stock-specific turnaround stories to achieve outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile [1]

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation (NYSE: AN) has shown strong performance over the past year, with shares gaining over 20% despite uncertainties in new car sales due to auto tariffs [1] Group 1: Company Performance - AutoNation's enduring service demand and ongoing capital returns have supported its results amidst the challenges posed by auto tariffs [1] Group 2: Market Context - The auto industry is facing meaningful uncertainty around new car sales due to the impact of auto tariffs, which could affect overall market dynamics [1]

Group 1 - AutoNation, Inc. has announced the grand re-opening of its Porsche Newport Beach retail and service center [1] - The redevelopment was designed to provide an unparalleled luxury automotive experience [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Presidio Group has successfully advised AutoNation on the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz of Chicago and Fletcher Jones Audi, enhancing AutoNation's presence in the Chicago market [1][2][3]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition was finalized on September 15, expanding AutoNation's dealership count in the Chicago area to nine, including three Mercedes-Benz and two Audi stores [2][3]. - Fletcher Jones Automotive Group will now focus on its remaining 13 dealerships located in California and Nevada, primarily luxury-brand stores [3][4]. Strategic Implications - AutoNation's CEO, Mike Manley, expressed excitement about the acquisition, highlighting the importance of The Presidio Group's M&A expertise in facilitating the transaction [2][3]. - The transaction is seen as a strategic move for both companies, with AutoNation growing its footprint and Fletcher Jones concentrating on markets where it has more scale [5][6]. Company Backgrounds - AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., offering a wide range of services including new and used vehicle sales, financing, and maintenance [8]. - Fletcher Jones Automotive Group has been a prominent luxury automotive retailer since 1946, known for its high-quality service and extensive offerings [9]. Advisory Role - The Presidio Group provided exclusive M&A advisory services through its subsidiary, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC, emphasizing the importance of relationships in executing successful transactions [7][6].