Core Insights - Lithia Motors (LAD) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $6.74, a decrease from $7.79 in the prior-year quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.09. Revenues were flat year over year at $9.2 billion, also missing the estimate of $9.53 billion [1][10]. Segmental Performance - New vehicle revenues declined by 5.7% year over year to $4.63 billion, missing the estimate of $4.71 billion, with new vehicle units sold down 8.1% to 97,424 units, although this was above the estimate of 95,435 units [2]. - The average selling price (ASP) of new vehicles increased to $48,239 from $47,478 in the prior-year quarter but fell short of the estimate of $49,401. The gross margin in this segment contracted by 70 basis points to 5.9%, while the cost of sales decreased by 5% year over year to $4.36 billion [3]. - Used vehicle revenues rose by 6.7% year over year to $3.2 billion, surpassing the estimate of $2.68 billion, driven by higher unit sales and ASP. Used vehicle retail units sold increased by 4.8% to 99,905 units, exceeding the expectation of 94,261 units. The ASP for used vehicles was $28,533, up 3.1% year over year, also beating the estimate of $28,413. The gross margin in this segment decreased by 60 basis points to 4.7% [4]. - Finance and insurance revenues increased by 0.3% to $356.9 million, beating the estimate of $347 million. Aftersales revenues totaled $1.04 billion, up 11.4% year over year, surpassing the estimate of $972.1 million. Same-store new vehicle revenues fell by 6.6%, while same-store used vehicle sales rose by 6.1% [5]. Financial Overview - Cost of sales increased by 0.3% year over year. SG&A expenses amounted to $979.3 million, up 8.6% year over year. Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit rose to 71.4% from 66.3% in the prior-year quarter. Both pretax and net profit margins declined from the previous year [6]. - The company announced a dividend of 55 cents to be paid on March 20, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 6, 2026. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Lithia repurchased nearly 917,427 shares at an average price of $314, with approximately $621.6 million remaining under its buyback authorization [7]. - As of December 31, 2025, Lithia had cash and cash equivalents of $341.8 million, down from $402.2 million a year earlier. Long-term debt increased to $7.27 billion from $6.12 billion [8]. Market Position - Lithia currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold). Other better-ranked stocks in the auto sector include Ford Motor (F), Modine Manufacturing (MOD), and PHINIA Inc. (PHIN), each with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [9].

Core Insights - Lithia Motors reported revenue of $9.58 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a 3.8% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +0.52% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.53 billion [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) reached $10.24, compared to $7.87 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of +4.7% against the consensus estimate of $9.78 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - New vehicle retail unit sales were 94,144, below the three-analyst average estimate of 98,009 [4] - Used vehicle retail unit sales totaled 109,053, also below the three-analyst average estimate of 112,524 [4] - The average selling price for new vehicles was $47,782, compared to the average estimate of $48,329.15 [4] - The average selling price for used vehicles was $28,379, exceeding the three-analyst average estimate of $27,338.08 [4] - Fleet and other revenue was $209.5 million, below the five-analyst average estimate of $241.66 million, representing a year-over-year decline of -13.1% [4] - Finance and insurance revenue was $373.8 million, slightly below the average estimate of $388.18 million, but showed a year-over-year increase of +3.6% [4] - Used vehicle wholesale revenue reached $383.1 million, surpassing the five-analyst average estimate of $338.23 million, marking a +32.3% year-over-year increase [4] - Used vehicle retail revenue was $3.09 billion, matching the five-analyst average estimate, with a year-over-year increase of +3.6% [4] - Service, body and parts/aftersales revenue was $1.02 billion, aligning with the average estimate [4] - New vehicle revenue was $4.5 billion, below the five-analyst average estimate of $4.78 billion, reflecting a +2.2% year-over-year increase [4] - Same store operating metrics for service, body and parts/aftersales revenue were $998 million, exceeding the two-analyst average estimate of $903.52 million, with a +28.3% year-over-year change [4] - Same store operating metrics for finance and insurance revenue were $366 million, slightly below the two-analyst average estimate of $368.42 million, showing a +16.7% year-over-year increase [4] Stock Performance - Lithia Motors' shares have returned -9.1% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - AutoNation (AN) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $4.70 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 17.8% [1] - Revenues are anticipated to reach $6.8 billion, which is a 4.9% increase from the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 1.6% in the past 30 days, indicating analysts' reassessment of their initial estimates [1][2] Revenue Estimates - Analysts predict 'Revenue- Parts and service' will reach $1.19 billion, marking a 6.4% increase from the prior-year quarter [3] - The 'Revenue- Finance and insurance net' is estimated at $337.81 million, reflecting a 4.3% increase from the year-ago quarter [4] - 'Revenue- Used Vehicle' is expected to be $1.92 billion, indicating a 0.7% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] - 'Revenue- New Vehicle' is projected to reach $3.31 billion, which is a 5.9% increase from the year-ago quarter [4] Sales and Profit Metrics - Total 'Retail vehicle unit sales' are expected to be 130,325, compared to 126,772 in the previous year [5] - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - New' is forecasted to be $51,872.62, up from $50,965.00 in the same quarter last year [5] - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - Used' is estimated at $27,368.63, compared to $26,617.00 in the same quarter last year [6] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Finance and insurance' is expected to reach $2,598.93, up from $2,556.00 in the previous year [6] Used and New Vehicle Sales - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - Used' are projected at 66,701, compared to 65,504 in the same quarter last year [7] - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - New' is estimated at 63,624, up from 61,268 in the previous year [7] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Used' is expected to be $1,612.39, slightly down from $1,638.00 in the previous year [7] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - New' is projected to be $2,892.10, down from $3,108.00 in the same quarter last year [8] Market Performance - AutoNation shares have changed by +0.3% in the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has moved +5.9% [8]