Empowered Funds LLC Acquires 1,476 Shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG - Free Report) by 27.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,856 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,476 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in Asbury Automotive Group were worth $1,666,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ABG. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $804,000. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the third quarter worth about $1,223,000. Empirical Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $484,000. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $154,270,000.

Asbury Automotive Group Stock Performance

Shares of Asbury Automotive Group stock traded down $6.24 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $294.55. 132,042 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 202,333. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $202.98 and a 1-year high of $312.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.69 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $262.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $246.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Craig Hallum upgraded shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $220.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded Asbury Automotive Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Asbury Automotive Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $264.00.

Asbury Automotive Group Profile

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.