Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for GPI Earnings

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, February 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $11.23 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $10.97. The consensus estimate for Group 1 Automotive’s current full-year earnings is $41.00 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Group 1 Automotive’s Q3 2026 earnings at $11.18 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $11.60 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $44.01 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $12.48 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $8.25 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $15.30 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $12.63 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $48.65 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $55.73 EPS.

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $8.49 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $9.36 by ($0.87). Group 1 Automotive had a net margin of 1.44% and a return on equity of 17.00%. The firm had revenue of $5.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $10.02 earnings per share. Group 1 Automotive’s revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore initiated coverage on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $500.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Group 1 Automotive from $410.00 to $370.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Group 1 Automotive from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Benchmark reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Barclays set a $470.00 price objective on Group 1 Automotive in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $466.57.

Group 1 Automotive Stock Performance

Group 1 Automotive stock opened at $333.56 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $388.47 and a 200-day moving average of $415.77. The company has a market capitalization of $4.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.34 and a beta of 0.90. Group 1 Automotive has a 1 year low of $328.85 and a 1 year high of $490.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.25.

Group 1 Automotive Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This is an increase from Group 1 Automotive’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Group 1 Automotive’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.00%.

Group 1 Automotive declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Tuesday, November 11th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 10.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Group 1 Automotive

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Group 1 Automotive by 54.9% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 79 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management increased its stake in Group 1 Automotive by 131.3% in the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 74 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp lifted its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 881.8% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 108 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.92% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Group 1 Automotive

Here are the key news stories impacting Group 1 Automotive this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board raised the 2026 dividend rate and declared a quarterly dividend — a direct shareholder-friendly action that can support the stock’s valuation and appeal to income investors. Group 1 Automotive Board Approves Dividend Increase
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised some near- and medium-term forecasts — including FY2026 (to $44.01) and FY2027 (to $48.65), and boosted select quarterly estimates (Q1 2027, Q2 2026, Q3 2026, Q3 2027) — which signals expectations for recovery/growth beyond the immediate weak quarter. Zacks Research Estimates (MarketBeat)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published an FY2028 EPS projection of $55.73 — a longer-horizon estimate that implies substantial earnings upside but is less actionable for near-term trading. FY2028 Estimate
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut several near-term quarter estimates: Q4 2026 down to $11.60, Q4 2027 down to $12.63, and Q2 2027 down to $8.25 — these downgrades underscore near-term margin or volume risks and help explain downward pressure on the stock. Zacks Cuts Near-Term Estimates

Group 1 Automotive Company Profile

Group 1 Automotive, Inc (NYSE: GPI) is an international automotive retailer headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company operates an extensive network of franchised dealerships, offering new and pre-owned vehicles from leading domestic and import manufacturers. In addition to vehicle sales, Group 1 Automotive provides a full complement of aftersales services, including finance and insurance products, parts distribution, collision repair centers and vehicle maintenance.

Founded in 1997, Group 1 Automotive has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to establish a presence across the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil.