Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.S. Automotive Retail Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 19, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies42
  • 7D-5.8%
  • 3M6.1%
  • 1Y-4.3%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Automotive Retail industry has dropped 5.8%, driven by Carvana declining 9.7%. On the other hand Murphy USA is actually up 5.5%. Overall the industry is down 4.3% in 12 months. Earnings are forecast to grow by 14% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Automotive Retail Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 19 Aug 2026US$147.2bUS$261.2bUS$5.4b20x27.2x0.6x
Fri, 17 Jul 2026US$148.5bUS$255.4bUS$5.1b28.5x29.1x0.6x
Sun, 14 Jun 2026US$138.6bUS$255.0bUS$5.2b25.7x26.7x0.5x
Tue, 12 May 2026US$150.2bUS$250.0bUS$4.7b20.8x31.9x0.6x
Thu, 09 Apr 2026US$129.8bUS$247.8bUS$5.1b13.7x25.3x0.5x
Sat, 07 Mar 2026US$133.0bUS$253.4bUS$5.5b15.2x24x0.5x
Mon, 02 Feb 2026US$150.9bUS$245.9bUS$4.4b13.3x34.1x0.6x
Wed, 31 Dec 2025US$162.8bUS$245.9bUS$4.5b12.8x36.5x0.7x
Fri, 28 Nov 2025US$148.4bUS$245.7bUS$4.3b13.6x34.6x0.6x
Sun, 26 Oct 2025US$153.4bUS$243.4bUS$4.3b15.2x35.4x0.6x
Tue, 23 Sep 2025US$163.5bUS$242.4bUS$4.4b15.3x37.5x0.7x
Thu, 21 Aug 2025US$153.1bUS$242.3bUS$4.6b15.5x33.5x0.6x
Sat, 19 Jul 2025US$144.6bUS$239.6bUS$4.3b16.8x33.4x0.6x
Mon, 16 Jun 2025US$133.7bUS$239.1bUS$4.3b16.2x31.3x0.6x
Wed, 14 May 2025US$130.1bUS$239.3bUS$4.3b14.3x30.2x0.5x
Fri, 11 Apr 2025US$117.0bUS$235.9bUS$4.0b13x28.9x0.5x
Sun, 09 Mar 2025US$112.1bUS$237.3bUS$3.8b14.3x29.2x0.5x
Tue, 04 Feb 2025US$77.8bUS$217.3bUS$4.2b20.1x18.4x0.4x
Thu, 02 Jan 2025US$73.3bUS$215.6bUS$4.2b19.9x17.6x0.3x
Sat, 30 Nov 2024US$78.4bUS$215.5bUS$4.1b22x19.2x0.4x
Mon, 28 Oct 2024US$64.7bUS$213.9bUS$3.9b14.8x16.6x0.3x
Wed, 25 Sep 2024US$66.0bUS$213.4bUS$4.0b15.3x16.6x0.3x
Fri, 23 Aug 2024US$68.3bUS$213.5bUS$4.0b15.9x17x0.3x
Sun, 21 Jul 2024US$65.8bUS$212.6bUS$4.5b15.6x14.5x0.3x
Tue, 18 Jun 2024US$61.7bUS$213.1bUS$4.6b15.3x13.4x0.3x
Thu, 16 May 2024US$65.3bUS$214.1bUS$4.3b14.7x15.2x0.3x
Sat, 13 Apr 2024US$61.4bUS$211.8bUS$4.7b12.5x13.1x0.3x
Mon, 11 Mar 2024US$64.4bUS$212.3bUS$4.6b12.8x14.1x0.3x
Wed, 07 Feb 2024US$68.2bUS$219.3bUS$5.3b16.9x12.7x0.3x
Fri, 05 Jan 2024US$70.4bUS$230.0bUS$5.3b16.3x13.3x0.3x
Sun, 03 Dec 2023US$69.1bUS$230.3bUS$5.3b15.6x13.1x0.3x
Tue, 31 Oct 2023US$61.3bUS$224.2bUS$5.5b11.5x11.2x0.3x
Thu, 28 Sep 2023US$71.3bUS$222.9bUS$5.9b11.2x12.1x0.3x
Sat, 26 Aug 2023US$72.1bUS$222.9bUS$5.2b11x13.9x0.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

13.9x


Total Market Cap: US$72.1bTotal Earnings: US$5.2bTotal Revenue: US$222.9bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Automotive Retail Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 22.9x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Automotive Retail industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 27.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 22.9x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.44x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Automotive Retail industry have remained mostly flat over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 5.4% per year.
  • This means that although more sales are being generated, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased and as a result, profits have held steady.

Industry Comparison

How does U.S. Automotive Retail compare with similar industries?

US Market-0.35%
Consumer Discretionary-2.02%
Specialty Stores-4.47%
Automotive Retail-5.75%
Computer and Electronics Retail1.44%
Specialty Stores-2.79%
Home Furnishing Retail-3.01%
Apparel Retail-4.63%
Home Improvement Retail-4.83%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
AZO AutoZoneUS$3.08k1.0%
+US$506.4m		-26.0%PE20.3x
MUSA Murphy USAUS$568.243.9%
+US$391.7m		44.1%PE16.9x
AAP Advance Auto PartsUS$56.185.0%
+US$160.6m		-0.7%PE49.9x
VVV ValvolineUS$34.102.4%
+US$102.1m		-12.3%PE42x
ABG Asbury Automotive GroupUS$212.941.7%
+US$63.4m		-11.6%PE7.5x

Latest News

MNRO
US$12.57
Monro
7D
9.5%
1Y
-21.7%
MUSA
US$568.24
Murphy USA
7D
3.9%
1Y
44.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 17

MUSA: Fuel Margin Support And New Stores Will Likely Shape Balanced Returns

The analyst price target for Murphy USA in this update increases from $517 to $550 as analysts factor in stronger fuel margins, steady demand trends, new store growth and higher forward P/E assumptions, partially offset by a slightly higher discount rate and more moderate revenue growth expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Murphy USA points to a generally constructive stance from Wall Street, with several firms lifting price targets and shifting to more favorable ratings.
SAH
US$78.86
Sonic Automotive
7D
-2.7%
1Y
0.9%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 17

Sonic Automotive: A Good Time For Long-Term Dividend Growth Investors To Pounce

Summary Sonic is now a $2.5 billion (by market cap) major dealership player employing more than 10,000 people. Sonic has increased its dividend for 11 consecutive years. Its 10-year dividend growth rate is 30.5%, which is obviously incredible and one of the highest I’ve yet come across. SAH has a tenuous financial position. Its long-term debt/equity ratio is 1.8, while the interest coverage ratio is approximately 2. The P/E ratio of 12.9 is very undemanding for a business that has consistently shown an ability to generate mid-teens EPS growth. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
GPI
US$263.87
Group 1 Automotive
7D
-0.8%
1Y
-40.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 15

GPI: Future Returns Will Depend On Atlanta Dealership Cluster And Capital Discipline

Analysts have revised their price target for Group 1 Automotive from $320 to $275 as they factor in a higher discount rate and updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E levels. What’s in the News for Group 1 Automotive Group 1 Automotive signed a definitive agreement to acquire 10 dealership assets and related real estate from Hennessy Automobile Companies in the Atlanta metro area, including Lexus, Jaguar Land Rover and Porsche franchises.
ONEW
US$11.36
OneWater Marine
7D
-11.1%
1Y
-33.8%
CVNA
US$70.44
Carvana
7D
-2.8%
1Y
4.0%
LAD
US$371.51
Lithia Motors
7D
-1.9%
1Y
21.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

LAD: Buybacks And Efficiency Push Will Support Long-Term Upside Potential

Analysts have lifted their price target on Lithia Motors to $443.88 from $423.75, reflecting updated assumptions around slightly higher revenue growth, a modestly lower profit margin, a revised future P/E of 9.36, and a discount rate reset to 12.54%. What’s in the News for Lithia Motors Lithia Motors reported record second quarter revenues and is focusing on customer affordability, including efficiency efforts across its dealership network.
ARKO
US$4.70
Arko
7D
5.4%
1Y
-6.4%
VVV
US$34.10
Valvoline
7D
2.4%
1Y
-12.3%
ABG
US$212.94
Asbury Automotive Group
7D
1.7%
1Y
-11.6%
Narrative Update • Aug 11

ABG: Share Repurchases And Earnings Beat Will Support Future Upside Potential

Analysts have increased their price target for Asbury Automotive Group from about $235.67 to $254.20. This change reflects updated assumptions regarding fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E multiples.
AZO
US$3,076.89
AutoZone
7D
1.0%
1Y
-26.0%
KMX
US$58.95
CarMax
7D
0.4%
1Y
2.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 11

KMX: Future Returns Will Depend On Turnaround Execution And Competitive Pressures

Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for CarMax from $51.31 to $54.85, reflecting higher price targets in the $44 to $66 range. They point to improving sales trends, better price competitiveness and early but uneven progress in the company's turnaround efforts.
PAG
US$217.86
Penske Automotive Group
7D
-0.06%
1Y
19.6%
AN
US$200.52
AutoNation
7D
-3.9%
1Y
-4.3%
Narrative Update • Aug 06

AN: Share Repurchases And Luxury Expansion Will Support Future Upside Potential

Analysts have increased their price target on AutoNation to $298.44 from $289.62, reflecting updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and a slightly lower projected P/E multiple. What’s in the News for AutoNation AutoNation completed a share repurchase tranche from April 1, 2026 to July 29, 2026, buying 785,818 shares, or 2.32% of its stock, for US$157.04 million under its long running buyback first announced in October 2007.
ORLY
US$91.20
O'Reilly Automotive
7D
-0.9%
1Y
-12.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 31

ORLY: Trimmed Expectations And Buybacks Will Shape Returns As Deal Uncertainty Persists

Analysts trimmed the fair value estimate for O'Reilly Automotive by about $2 to $93.96, reflecting slightly softer modeled revenue growth, a modestly lower profit margin outlook, and a reduced future P/E assumption, even as recent research notes highlight solid same store sales trends and generally positive earnings commentary. Analyst Commentary Recent research on O'Reilly Automotive points to a mixed setup for investors, with strong reported same store sales and generally constructive commentary on fundamentals set against a series of trimmed price targets and valuation questions.
AAP
US$56.18
Advance Auto Parts
7D
5.0%
1Y
-0.7%