Empirical Asset Management LLC Makes New Investment in Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Empirical Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,990 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $484,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ABG. Argent Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Asbury Automotive Group by 16.3% in the fourth quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 15,451 shares of the company's stock worth $3,755,000 after purchasing an additional 2,164 shares in the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,119 shares of the company's stock worth $506,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 94.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 38,644 shares of the company's stock worth $9,220,000 after acquiring an additional 18,821 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC purchased a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Finally, Castleark Management LLC acquired a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,310,000.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Craig Hallum upped their price target on Asbury Automotive Group from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Asbury Automotive Group from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Bank of America dropped their price target on Asbury Automotive Group from $310.00 to $305.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. StockNews.com raised shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn lowered Asbury Automotive Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $255.20.

Asbury Automotive Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ABG traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $244.72. 291,690 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 133,305. 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 firm has a market cap of $4.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.85 and a beta of 1.19. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $251.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $240.86. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $195.09 and a twelve month high of $277.13.

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

Asbury Automotive Group Company 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.