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AN vs BBWI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoNation (AN) vs. Bath & Body Works (BBWI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AutoNation (AN) delivered fifth consecutive quarter of adjusted EPS growth at $4.69 in Q1 2026, beating estimates despite a 2% revenue dip from soft new-vehicle sales.
- Bath & Body Works (BBWI) reported Q4 FY2025 EPS of $2.05, surpassing expectations, but shares have underperformed YTD amid sales pressures.
- AN trades at a trailing P/E of 11.2 with stronger ROE (29%) and positive earnings momentum, while BBWI offers a lower P/E of 6.3 but higher debt exposure.
- Recent market activity shows AN gaining 15% over the past year versus BBWI's 36% decline, reflecting consumer cyclical contrasts.
- Tickeron's AI bots highlight momentum in autos and retail, with tools aiding relative performance analysis.
- Analyst targets suggest upside: $242 average for AN (18% potential) and $28 for BBWI (42% potential).
Introduction
This comparison examines AutoNation (AN), the largest U.S. automotive retailer, and Bath & Body Works (BBWI), a leading specialty retailer of personal care and home fragrance products. Both operate in consumer discretionary sectors sensitive to economic cycles, spending patterns, and interest rates. Traders seeking short-term momentum and investors eyeing value in cyclicals will find insights into recent price behavior, earnings resilience, and sector tailwinds. With broader market volatility, understanding relative performance helps gauge positioning in autos versus retail amid shifting consumer sentiment.
AN Overview and Recent Performance
AutoNation (AN) is America's largest automotive retailer, operating over 300 locations with new and used vehicle sales, parts, service, and financing. In recent market activity, shares trade around $206, within a 52-week range of $176-$229, boasting a $6.9 billion market cap. Q1 2026 results showed adjusted EPS of $4.69, up year-over-year for the fifth straight quarter despite 2% revenue decline to $6.6 billion from softer new-vehicle demand and weather impacts. Record after-sales gross profit of $593 million (up 5%) offset challenges, driving sentiment via high-margin services. Analysts note resilience in finance (portfolio at $2.4 billion) and share repurchases ($300 million in Q1), supporting stability amid affordability pressures.
BBWI Overview and Recent Performance
Bath & Body Works (BBWI) specializes in personal care items like body lotions, fragrances, and candles, with a global omnichannel presence. Shares hover near $20, in a 52-week range of $14-$35, with a $4 billion market cap. Q4 FY2025 EPS hit $2.05, beating estimates amid $2.72 billion revenue (down 2.3% YoY), buoyed by innovation and brand elevation. Recent weeks feature executive hires like a chief brand officer and Star Wars collaborations to spark interest, though YTD underperformance trails the S&P 500. Guidance flags sales pressure, but cost savings and $600 million FCF target for 2026 underpin turnaround efforts in a cautious consumer environment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AutoNation (AN) and Bath & Body Works (BBWI) diverge in business models: AN's dealership network thrives on high-margin after-sales (26% of gross profit) and financing, while BBWI relies on product innovation and omnichannel retail. Growth drivers contrast—AN benefits from used-car demand and portfolio expansion ($2.4B), versus BBWI's brand collaborations amid flat sales outlook. Recent momentum favors AN (YTD flat, +15% 1Y) over BBWI (-1% YTD, -36% 1Y). Risk factors include AN's high debt/equity (471%) and vehicle affordability, versus BBWI's consumer spending sensitivity. Sector exposure pits autos (cyclical recovery) against retail (discretionary pullback), with AN showing superior ROE (29% vs. N/A) and EPS growth.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward AutoNation (AN), based on consistent trend strength in earnings beats, after-sales stability, and relative outperformance versus the S&P 500. AN's high ROE (29%) and analyst upside (to $242) signal better positioning amid auto sector resilience, while BBWI faces sales headwinds despite value metrics. Probabilistic edge favors AN for momentum trades in recent market conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AN is a Buy and BBWI is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AN’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileBBWI’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AN’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- BBWI’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AN’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while BBWI’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AN’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- BBWI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
AN (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а -1.92% price change this week, while BBWI (@Specialty Stores) price change was +2.71% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was +1.78%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.53%, and the average quarterly price growth was -2.37%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Stores industry was +1.60%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.71%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.97%.
Reported Earning Dates
AN is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
BBWI is expected to report earnings on May 14, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (+1.78% weekly)The Automotive Aftermarket consists of the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of vehicle parts and accessories, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. The aftermarket parts many not be manufactured by the OEM. According to a Technavio study, the US automotive parts aftermarket size is estimated to grow by USD 24.33 billion during 2018-2022 (CAGR 3%). Like many other industries, the automotive aftermarket is also being intensely penetrated by the digital boom. The online auto parts sales market is predicted to exceed $13B by 2020 (according to a study by Mirakl).
@Specialty Stores (+1.60% weekly)The specialty stores sector includes companies dedicated to the sale of retail products focused on a single product category, such as clothing, carpet, books, or office supplies. A specialty store could face intense competition from big-box departmental chains, and therefore offering an adequate collection of the product type it specializes in is key in maintaining/growing its market.
| AN | BBWI | AN / BBWI | |
| Capitalization | 6.71B | 3.97B | 169% |
| EBITDA | 1.64B | 1.41B | 116% |
| Gain YTD | -0.247 | -0.922 | 27% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.87 | 6.34 | 171% |
| Revenue | 27.5B | 7.29B | 377% |
| Total Cash | 65.5M | 953M | 7% |
| Total Debt | 10.5B | 4.95B | 212% |
AN | BBWI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 12 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 33 | 1 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 52 | 61 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 81 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
BBWI's Valuation (12) in the Apparel Or Footwear Retail industry is significantly better than the same rating for AN (83) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that BBWI’s stock grew significantly faster than AN’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Profit vs Risk Rating (22) in the Specialty Stores industry is significantly better than the same rating for BBWI (100) in the Apparel Or Footwear Retail industry. This means that AN’s stock grew significantly faster than BBWI’s over the last 12 months.
BBWI's SMR Rating (1) in the Apparel Or Footwear Retail industry is in the same range as AN (33) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that BBWI’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Price Growth Rating (52) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as BBWI (61) in the Apparel Or Footwear Retail industry. This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to BBWI’s over the last 12 months.
AN's P/E Growth Rating (48) in the Specialty Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for BBWI (81) in the Apparel Or Footwear Retail industry. This means that AN’s stock grew somewhat faster than BBWI’s over the last 12 months.
| AN | BBWI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 66% | 4 days ago 73% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 78% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 77% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 73% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 62% | 7 days ago 81% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 58% | 4 days ago 64% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| MFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| PIEQX | 21.63 | 0.20 | +0.93% |
| T. Rowe Price International Eq Index | |||
| SNOCX | 36.82 | 0.34 | +0.93% |
| Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity C | |||
| SEFCX | 14.20 | 0.10 | +0.71% |
| SEI International Equity Y (SIT) | |||
| ABWIX | 17.08 | 0.11 | +0.65% |
| AB All Market Total Return I | |||
| PEYAX | 41.63 | N/A | N/A |
| Putnam Large Cap Value A | |||
BBWI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, BBWI has been loosely correlated with AN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if BBWI jumps, then AN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To BBWI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBWI | 100% | +2.23% | ||
| AN - BBWI | 56% Loosely correlated | +0.33% | ||
| CPRT - BBWI | 55% Loosely correlated | +0.18% | ||
| FND - BBWI | 54% Loosely correlated | +0.41% | ||
| RH - BBWI | 52% Loosely correlated | +0.18% | ||
| PAG - BBWI | 52% Loosely correlated | +1.28% | ||
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