Autotrader Group plc

LSE:AUTO Stock Report

Market Cap: UK£4.0b

Autotrader Group Future Growth

Future criteria checks 3/6

Autotrader Group is forecast to grow earnings and revenue by 4.1% and 4.7% per annum respectively. EPS is expected to grow by 12% per annum. Return on equity is forecast to be 183% in 3 years.

Key information

4.1%

Earnings growth rate

11.99%

EPS growth rate

Interactive Media and Services earnings growth9.9%
Revenue growth rate4.7%
Future return on equity183.05%
Analyst coverage

Good

Last updated16 Jun 2026

Recent future growth updates

Analysis Article • May 26

UK£6.11: That's What Analysts Think Autotrader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Is Worth After Its Latest Results

Shareholders might have noticed that Autotrader Group plc ( LON:AUTO ) filed its yearly result this time last week. The...
Analysis Article • Nov 09

Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Half-Yearly Results Just Came Out: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting For This Year

Auto Trader Group plc ( LON:AUTO ) shareholders are probably feeling a little disappointed, since its shares fell 3.7...

Recent updates

Narrative Update • Jun 26

AUTO: 2026 Execution Risks Will Pressure Pricing Power Despite Supportive EPS Outlook

The analyst price target for Auto Trader Group has been reset lower to reflect a fair value cut from £4.70 to £4.10, with analysts citing a higher discount rate, more cautious assumptions on revenue growth and margins, and a lower future P/E multiple, even as recent research includes both reduced and newly initiated Buy targets across the stock. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Auto Trader Group shows a mix of views, with several bearish analysts flagging valuation and execution risks alongside more positive coverage from large banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.
Narrative Update • Jun 12

AUTO: Confident Sector Views And Buybacks Will Drive Future Repricing

Analysts have trimmed the blended price target for Auto Trader Group to reflect an updated fair value estimate of £8.22 per share from £8.90, balancing recent target cuts from JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank with fresh Buy ratings and higher targets from Goldman Sachs and Peel Hunt. These moves highlight continued confidence in classifieds portals despite AI related concerns.
Narrative Update • May 29

AUTO: Future EPS Support And Margins Will Underpin Repriced P/E

Analysts have adjusted the implied fair value on Auto Trader Group to £5.84 from £6.54, reflecting updated assumptions on revenue growth, margins and future P/E, even as recent Street research shows a mix of higher and lower price targets, including revisions to £7.94, £6.30 and £4.45. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Auto Trader Group reflects a split view, with both bullish and bearish analysts adjusting their targets and ratings as they rework assumptions around growth, execution and valuation.
Analysis Article • May 26

UK£6.11: That's What Analysts Think Autotrader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Is Worth After Its Latest Results

Shareholders might have noticed that Autotrader Group plc ( LON:AUTO ) filed its yearly result this time last week. The...
Narrative Update • May 06

AUTO: Future Margin Resilience Will Support Repriced P/E Despite Recent Downgrades

Analysts have trimmed the Autotrader Group price target by £1.19 per share. This reflects a slightly lower fair value estimate and a higher discount rate, along with modest adjustments to long term P/E assumptions following recent target cuts and a downgrade from several banks.
Narrative Update • Apr 21

AUTO: Future Margin Resilience Will Support Repriced P/E And Fair Value Estimate

Narrative Update The analyst price target for Auto Trader Group has been reduced to £5.15, reflecting a series of target cuts from multiple banks as analysts factor in a slightly lower fair value estimate and a modestly adjusted future P/E assumption. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates point to a more cautious stance on Auto Trader Group, with several firms adjusting price targets and ratings to reflect a reassessment of fair value and execution risks.
Narrative Update • Apr 07

AUTO: Future Margin Resilience Will Support Repriced P/E Multiple

Autotrader Group's updated analyst price target moves lower, with fair value now at £6.98 from £8.60. Analysts factor in a higher discount rate, slightly softer revenue growth expectations, modestly lower profit margins and a reduced future P/E of 21.63x from 25.22x, in line with recent target cuts from Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, Berenberg and Morgan Stanley.
Narrative Update • Mar 24

AUTO: Recent Rating Shifts Will Set Up A Future Repricing Opportunity

Auto Trader Group's analyst price target has been marked down, reflected in a fair value move from about £10.05 to £8.90, as analysts point to lower price targets across several firms and slightly adjusted assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Auto Trader Group has leaned cautious on price targets, but there are still some clear positives that stand out for you as an investor.
Narrative Update • Mar 10

AUTO: 2026 Pricing Power And Execution Risks Will Temper Market Optimism

The analyst price target for Auto Trader Group has been cut by £1.65 per share to reflect lower fair value assumptions, slightly higher discount rates and modestly softer expectations for revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E multiples that are broadly in line with recent target reductions from several research houses. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Auto Trader Group point to a more cautious tone, with several bearish analysts trimming price targets and, in some cases, lowering ratings.
Narrative Update • Feb 24

AUTO: 2026 Pricing Power And Execution Risks Will Shape Market Expectations

The analyst price target for Auto Trader Group has been cut by £0.96, with recent Street research pointing to lower fair value estimates and P/E assumptions, alongside questions around pricing and leading brokers trimming their targets into the £630 to £665 range and shifting stances toward more neutral ratings. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research points to a more cautious tone around Auto Trader Group, with several bearish analysts reducing price targets and questioning how much upside is left at current P/E assumptions.
Narrative Update • Feb 09

AUTO: Street Downgrades Will Set Up A Repricing Opportunity

The updated analyst price target for Auto Trader Group shows a modest reset, with fair value edging from £10.40 to about £10.05 as analysts factor in slightly lower revenue growth assumptions, a higher discount rate, and recent Street target cuts, while forecast profit margins and future P/E expectations remain broadly supportive. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Auto Trader Group has shifted toward a more cautious stance overall, with several firms trimming price targets and, in some cases, downgrading their recommendations.
Analysis Article • Jan 27

Autotrader Group plc's (LON:AUTO) Share Price Not Quite Adding Up

It's not a stretch to say that Autotrader Group plc's ( LON:AUTO ) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 15.7x right...
Narrative Update • Jan 26

AUTO: 2026 Pricing Power And Capital Returns Will Shape Market Expectations

Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Auto Trader Group from £6.35 to £5.95, reflecting a lower blended price target across recent research as firms reset assumptions on revenue growth, margins and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Auto Trader Group shows a clear tilt toward more cautious assumptions on pricing power, growth prospects and valuation multiples, even where ratings have been maintained or slightly improved.
Narrative Update • Jan 10

AUTO: 2026 Pricing Debate And Dividend Actions Will Shape Future Expectations

Our analyst price target for Auto Trader Group has edged down from £6.36 to £6.35. This reflects a blend of recent Street moves, with several firms resetting targets to around £6.30 to £6.50 and flagging questions around 2026 pricing, while still seeing room for more balanced risk and reward in the shares.
Analysis Article • Jan 09

Here's Why Auto Trader Group (LON:AUTO) Has Caught The Eye Of Investors

For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to...
Narrative Update • Dec 26

AUTO: Diverging Broker Views And Dividend Actions Will Shape Future Expectations

Analysts have modestly reduced their price target on Auto Trader Group to about £6.30 per share from roughly £7.70, citing a slightly higher discount rate despite marginal improvements in long term revenue growth and profit margin expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a cautious reassessment of Auto Trader Group, with bearish analysts highlighting a less compelling risk reward profile at current levels.
Narrative Update • Dec 12

AUTO: Cautious Outlook Will Shape Expectations After Key Price Objective Cut

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Auto Trader Group from approximately 770 GBp to around 630 GBp, reflecting more cautious assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, and valuation multiples, despite some supportive broker commentary. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Auto Trader Group highlights a mixed but increasingly cautious backdrop, with the latest price target moves pointing to heightened scrutiny of the company’s valuation and execution risks.
Analysis Article • Nov 24

Why Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Could Be Worth Watching

Auto Trader Group plc ( LON:AUTO ), is not the largest company out there, but it received a lot of attention from a...
Analysis Article • Nov 09

Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Half-Yearly Results Just Came Out: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting For This Year

Auto Trader Group plc ( LON:AUTO ) shareholders are probably feeling a little disappointed, since its shares fell 3.7...
Analysis Article • Nov 01

Estimating The Intrinsic Value Of Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO)

Key Insights The projected fair value for Auto Trader Group is UK£8.17 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity...
Analysis Article • Oct 11

Should You Be Adding Auto Trader Group (LON:AUTO) To Your Watchlist Today?

The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even...
Analysis Article • Aug 12

Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO) Investors Are Less Pessimistic Than Expected

When close to half the companies in the United Kingdom have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") below 16x, you may...
Analysis Article • Jul 25

Calculating The Fair Value Of Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO)

Key Insights Auto Trader Group's estimated fair value is UK£7.83 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Auto Trader...
User avatar
New Narrative • Nov 25

Co-Driver AI And Electric Innovations Empower Revenue Growth Amid Market Challenges

Strategic focus on enhancing Deal Builder and Co-Driver AI suite likely to drive revenue growth and improve net margins through customer engagement and operational efficiency.

Earnings and Revenue Growth Forecasts

LSE:AUTO - Analysts future estimates and past financials data (GBP Millions)
DateRevenueEarningsFree Cash FlowCash from OpAvg. No. Analysts
3/31/20297173323573628
3/31/202868631733534715
3/31/202764929931933215
3/31/2026624294295323N/A
12/31/2025620294300321N/A
9/30/2025616294304319N/A
6/30/2025609288302312N/A
3/31/2025601283301305N/A
12/31/2024597281299302N/A
9/30/2024593280298300N/A
6/30/2024582268291294N/A
3/31/2024571257284288N/A
12/31/2023551246276280N/A
9/30/2023531236268273N/A
6/30/2023516235266270N/A
3/31/2023500234264267N/A
12/31/2022484236262265N/A
9/30/2022467238261263N/A
6/30/2022450241265267N/A
3/31/2022433245269272N/A
12/31/2021396220242245N/A
9/30/2021360196215219N/A
6/30/2021311162169172N/A
3/31/2021263128123125N/A
12/31/2020282142140142N/A
9/30/2020300156158158N/A
6/30/2020335180176177N/A
3/31/2020369205194196N/A
12/31/2019367207N/A194N/A
9/30/2019365208N/A193N/A
6/30/2019360203N/A204N/A
3/31/2019355198N/A216N/A
12/31/2018349188N/A209N/A
9/30/2018342179N/A202N/A
6/30/2018336175N/A195N/A
3/31/2018330171N/A189N/A
12/31/2017326167N/A188N/A
9/30/2017323163N/A186N/A
6/30/2017317159N/A182N/A
3/31/2017311155N/A178N/A
12/31/2016304149N/A172N/A
9/25/2016297143N/A165N/A
6/25/2016289135N/A165N/A
3/27/2016282127N/A164N/A
12/27/201527594N/A166N/A
9/27/201526759N/A163N/A

Analyst Future Growth Forecasts

Earnings vs Savings Rate: AUTO's forecast earnings growth (4.1% per year) is above the savings rate (3.4%).

Earnings vs Market: AUTO's earnings (4.1% per year) are forecast to grow slower than the UK market (11.5% per year).

High Growth Earnings: AUTO's earnings are forecast to grow, but not significantly.

Revenue vs Market: AUTO's revenue (4.7% per year) is forecast to grow faster than the UK market (4.7% per year).

High Growth Revenue: AUTO's revenue (4.7% per year) is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Earnings per Share Growth Forecasts

Future Return on Equity

Future ROE: AUTO's Return on Equity is forecast to be very high in 3 years time (183%).

Discover growth companies

7D

1Y

7D

1Y

7D

1Y

Company Analysis and Financial Data Status

DataLast Updated (UTC time)
Company Analysis2026/07/06 23:51
End of Day Share Price 2026/07/06 00:00
Earnings2026/03/31
Annual Earnings2026/03/31

Data Sources

The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.

PackageDataTimeframeExample US Source *
Company Financials10 years
  • Income statement
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet
Analyst Consensus Estimates+3 years
  • Forecast financials
  • Analyst price targets
Market Prices30 years
  • Stock prices
  • Dividends, Splits and Actions
Ownership10 years
  • Top shareholders
  • Insider trading
Management10 years
  • Leadership team
  • Board of directors
Key Developments10 years
  • Company announcements

* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.

Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.

Analysis Model and Snowflake

Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.

Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Industry and Sector Metrics

Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.

Analyst Sources

Autotrader Group plc is covered by 26 analysts. 15 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.

AnalystInstitution
Andrew RossBarclays
William LarwoodBerenberg
Annick MaasBernstein