AutoNation (AN)
NYSEConsumer DiscretionaryAuto - DealershipsSnapshot 2026-11-04
$183.47+2.78%
Close 2026-11-04 · 1-day change
NYSEConsumer DiscretionaryAuto - DealershipsSnapshot 2026-11-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · AN
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within consumer discretionary on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-04.
The screen ranks AN against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated neutral grew net income 45% of the time over the next year (vs 59% for the rest of the cohort, n=6999).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
We utilized nearly 85 percent of our adjusted free cash flow for share repurchases, reducing shares outstanding by 9 percent year-to-date.
Stated in 5 of 5 supplied quarters. Management reported: “We utilized nearly 85 percent of our adjusted free cash flow for share repurchases, reducing shares outstanding by 9 percent year-to-date.” “The current environment strongly favors allocating capital toward share repurchases and as such we have secured Board authorization for an additional $1 billion in share repurchases,” Manley concluded.”
“We utilized nearly 85 percent of our adjusted free cash flow for share repurchases, reducing shares outstanding by 9 percent year-to-date.”
““Cash flow was strong, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve density in existing markets.”
““Adjusted earnings per share increased year-over-year for the fifth consecutive quarter, and strong cash flow conversion supported our continued deployment of capital toward share repurchases.”
““Full year adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted Free Cash flow increased significantly from a year ago, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve densi…”
““Cash flow was strong, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve density in existing markets.”
“Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined…
Stated in 5 of 5 supplied quarters. Management reported: ““Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined capital allocation.” “AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing the portfolio to $2.7 billion while substantially improving profitability.”
“Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined…
Stated in 5 of 5 supplied quarters. Management reported: ““Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined capital allocation.” ““We are pleased to report our strong first quarter results highlighted by record gross profit in After-Sales and record unit profitability in Customer Financial Services.”
Continue increasing adjusted earnings per share through recurring earnings growth and execution across the business.
Scale the AutoNation Finance portfolio while improving profitability, credit performance, and funding.
Over the trailing year it converted 0.29x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated fragile grew net income 40% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=3629).
Most sensitive to real (inflation-adjusted) rates and long-term interest rates.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, the broad stock market, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
8 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated stable grew net income 53% of the time over the next year (vs 54% for the rest of the cohort, n=4907).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-04.
““Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined…”
“AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing the portfolio to $2.7 billion while substantially improving profitability.”
“AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing its portfolio to $2.4 billion while improving profitability, credit performance, and debt funding.”
“AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing the portfolio to $2.2 billion while improving profitability and funded status.”
“AutoNation Finance continued to scale, growing the portfolio to more than $2 billion while improving profitability.”
““Record After-Sales performance and strong growth in AutoNation Finance further increased the contribution of recurring earnings and cash flow, leading to exceptional cash generation and disciplined…”
““Cash flow was strong, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve density in existing markets.”
““We are pleased to report our strong first quarter results highlighted by record gross profit in After-Sales and record unit profitability in Customer Financial Services.”
““Full year adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted Free Cash flow increased significantly from a year ago, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve densi…”
““Cash flow was strong, and we deployed significant capital for share repurchases and acquisitions to improve density in existing markets.”