Barclays PLC Buys 18,821 Shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Barclays PLC grew its stake in Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG - Free Report) by 94.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 38,644 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 18,821 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned 0.20% of Asbury Automotive Group worth $9,220,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Asbury Automotive Group by 34.6% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 393 shares of the company's stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter valued at $155,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the second quarter worth $190,000.

Asbury Automotive Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ABG traded down $8.79 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $243.51. 165,977 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 182,162. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $195.09 and a 12 month high of $277.13. The firm has a market cap of $4.77 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78 and a beta of 1.18. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $247.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $238.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $6.35 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.58 by ($0.23). Asbury Automotive Group had a return on equity of 16.51% and a net margin of 2.16%. The company had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $8.12 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. will post 25.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Craig Hallum upped their target price on Asbury Automotive Group from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $265.00 to $260.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America dropped their target price on Asbury Automotive Group from $310.00 to $305.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Asbury Automotive Group in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $216.00 price objective for the company. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $256.20.

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.