Natixis Advisors LLC Acquires New Shares in Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Natixis Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 111,374 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,573,000. Natixis Advisors LLC owned about 0.57% of Asbury Automotive Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Natixis bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter worth about $896,000. Boston Partners purchased a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the first quarter worth approximately $878,000. Tidal Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $537,000. Bridges Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $760,000. Finally, UniSuper Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter worth approximately $1,017,000.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stephens started coverage on shares of Asbury Automotive Group in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $216.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $265.00 to $260.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. StockNews.com raised shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Craig Hallum boosted their target price on Asbury Automotive Group from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Asbury Automotive Group has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $256.20.

Asbury Automotive Group Price Performance

Shares of ABG stock traded down $4.61 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $251.29. The company had a trading volume of 33,856 shares, compared to its average volume of 183,609. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $233.22 and a 200-day moving average of $234.55. The company has a market capitalization of $4.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.49 and a beta of 1.16. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $195.09 and a 12-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 EPS 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 business had revenue of $4.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $8.12 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. will post 25.31 earnings per share for the current year.

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.