Analysts Set Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI) Price Target at $396.80

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the five analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $396.80.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on GPI shares. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $445.00 to $435.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Group 1 Automotive from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley upgraded Group 1 Automotive from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their price target for the company from $285.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens started coverage on Group 1 Automotive in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $394.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Group 1 Automotive from $360.00 to $420.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th.

Insider Transactions at Group 1 Automotive

In other news, VP Michael David Jones sold 1,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.99, for a total value of $421,188.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 9,742 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,419,344.58. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 5.6% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,808 shares of the company's stock valued at $528,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 15.2% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 22,236 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,498,000 after buying an additional 2,927 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive during the first quarter valued at about $475,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 54.2% during the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 1,204 shares of the company's stock worth $352,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 648.4% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 6,571 shares of the company's stock worth $1,920,000 after acquiring an additional 5,693 shares during the last quarter. 99.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Group 1 Automotive Price Performance

GPI stock traded up $22.89 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $377.91. The company had a trading volume of 260,825 shares, compared to its average volume of 134,432. Group 1 Automotive has a 1-year low of $246.02 and a 1-year high of $393.93. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $364.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $328.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.26. The company has a market capitalization of $5.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.32.

Group 1 Automotive Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 2nd were paid a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.50%. Group 1 Automotive's payout ratio is 4.44%.

Group 1 Automotive Company Profile

Group 1 Automotive, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the automotive retail industry in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company sells new and used cars, light trucks, and vehicle parts, as well as service and insurance contracts; arranges related vehicle financing; and offers automotive maintenance and repair services.