Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) Shares Purchased by Argent Capital Management LLC

Argent Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG - Free Report) by 16.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,451 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,164 shares during the period. Argent Capital Management LLC owned 0.08% of Asbury Automotive Group worth $3,755,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 7.1% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,056,825 shares of the company's stock valued at $240,818,000 after buying an additional 69,975 shares during the last quarter. Seven Eight Capital LP bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter worth $212,000. Bridges Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter worth $760,000. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Asbury Automotive Group by 3.8% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 25,823 shares of the company's stock worth $5,884,000 after purchasing an additional 945 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its position in Asbury Automotive Group by 5.2% in the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 44,382 shares of the company's stock worth $10,113,000 after purchasing an additional 2,205 shares during the last quarter.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ABG. Craig Hallum boosted their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $310.00 to $305.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $265.00 to $260.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Asbury Automotive Group from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Asbury Automotive Group has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $256.20.

Asbury Automotive Group Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of ABG traded down $4.43 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $245.37. 338,318 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 169,398. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $195.09 and a 1-year high of $277.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $4.81 billion, a PE ratio of 13.89 and a beta of 1.19. The business has a 50 day moving average of $252.50 and a 200 day moving average of $240.51.

Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $6.35 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $6.58 by ($0.23). The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.30 billion. Asbury Automotive Group had a net margin of 2.16% and a return on equity of 16.51%. Asbury Automotive Group's quarterly revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $8.12 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. will post 25.17 EPS for the current year.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts, and collision repair services.