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AN vs HZO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoNation (AN) vs. MarineMax (HZO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AutoNation (AN) exhibits robust profitability with a trailing twelve-month (TTM) earnings per share (EPS) of $17.03 and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.30, contrasting MarineMax's (HZO) negative EPS of -$2.59.
- HZO has outperformed year-to-date (YTD) with a 26% gain compared to AN's modest 1.5% rise, driven by strength in premium yacht sales.
- AN's larger scale, with $27.6 billion in trailing revenue and a $7.3 billion market cap, provides stability via diversified auto retail, while HZO's $2.35 billion revenue reflects niche exposure in recreational boating.
- Recent market activity shows AN shares gaining amid sector recovery, bolstered by Q4 2025 EPS beat, whereas HZO beat Q1 2026 revenue estimates despite an EPS shortfall.
- AN's beta of 0.81 indicates lower volatility relative to the market, compared to HZO's higher-risk profile in cyclical marine retail.
Introduction
AutoNation (AN) and MarineMax (HZO) represent distinct niches within the consumer discretionary sector: automotive retail and recreational boating, respectively. Both companies navigate similar macroeconomic pressures, including interest rate sensitivity and shifting consumer spending on big-ticket items. Traders eyeing relative performance in vehicle-related retail or investors assessing cyclical plays amid recent market volatility will find this comparison insightful. By examining recent trends, financial metrics, and sector dynamics, this analysis highlights key contrasts to inform positioning decisions in the current environment.
AN Overview and Recent Performance
AutoNation (AN), the largest U.S. automotive retailer, operates new and used vehicle franchises, collision centers, and finance services across Sunbelt markets. In recent weeks, AN shares have climbed, reflecting broader sector recovery and positive sentiment from a Q4 2025 earnings report where EPS of $5.08 exceeded estimates, despite revenue slightly missing at $6.93 billion due to softer vehicle sales. Influences include stabilizing new vehicle inventories and used car pricing, though high floorplan financing costs—short-term debt for inventory—persist amid elevated interest rates. Trading near $210 with a market cap over $7 billion, AN's return on equity (ROE) of 27% underscores operational strength, supporting resilience in recent market activity.
HZO Overview and Recent Performance
MarineMax (HZO), a leading recreational boat and yacht retailer, provides sales, parts, maintenance, and brokerage services through Retail Operations and Product Manufacturing segments. Recent performance has been buoyed by YTD gains of 26%, with shares around $30 amid strength in premium segments offsetting unit volume pressures. The Q1 2026 results showed revenue of $505 million beating expectations, though EPS came in at -$0.21, missing forecasts amid margin challenges from higher costs. Sentiment reflects optimism for boating demand tied to leisure spending, tempered by economic uncertainty and inventory dynamics in recent market conditions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AN's broad automotive model spans domestic, import, and luxury vehicles with integrated finance, contrasting HZO's specialized focus on boats and yachts, which exposes it more acutely to leisure spending cycles. Growth drivers differ: AN benefits from steady repair services (higher margins), while HZO leverages premium yacht sales but faces seasonal risks. Recent momentum favors HZO's YTD surge versus AN's steadier path, yet AN's profitability (2.35% profit margin) and lower beta (0.81) signal reduced volatility amid high debt/equity of 437%—a leverage ratio measuring borrowed funds against shareholder equity. Sector-wise, both endure interest rate headwinds, but AN's scale offers better pricing power. Market sentiment tilts toward AN for stability, with analyst targets around $237, while HZO garners buy ratings amid smaller-cap upside potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI would likely favor AutoNation (AN) in the current environment due to its trend consistency, positive EPS trajectory, and lower relative risk profile. HZO's momentum provides shorter-term appeal, but AN's scale and ROE position it probabilistically stronger for sustained performance amid economic uncertainties.
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 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 HZO is a Buy.
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 1 FA rating(s) are green whileHZO’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- AN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- HZO’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HZO’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- HZO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 2 bearish.
Price Growth
AN (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а -2.63% price change this week, while HZO (@Specialty Stores) price change was +1.57% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was -2.10%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.05%, and the average quarterly price growth was -21.34%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Stores industry was -1.11%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.28%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.57%.
Reported Earning Dates
AN is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
HZO is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (-2.10% 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 (-1.11% 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 | HZO | AN / HZO | |
| Capitalization | 6.3B | 767M | 822% |
| EBITDA | 1.64B | 38.8M | 4,214% |
| Gain YTD | -8.805 | 43.747 | -20% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.21 | 11.15 | 92% |
| Revenue | 27.5B | 2.24B | 1,227% |
| Total Cash | 65.5M | 189M | 35% |
| Total Debt | 10.5B | 1.21B | 871% |
AN | HZO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 84 | 28 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 68 Overvalued | 35 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 34 | 94 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | 58 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 90 |
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.
HZO's Valuation (35) in the Specialty Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AN (68). This means that HZO’s stock grew somewhat faster than AN’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Profit vs Risk Rating (30) in the Specialty Stores industry is significantly better than the same rating for HZO (100). This means that AN’s stock grew significantly faster than HZO’s over the last 12 months.
AN's SMR Rating (34) in the Specialty Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for HZO (94). This means that AN’s stock grew somewhat faster than HZO’s over the last 12 months.
HZO's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (54). This means that HZO’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
HZO's P/E Growth Rating (58) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (65). This means that HZO’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
| AN | HZO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 81% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 75% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 72% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 67% | 9 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 16 days ago 61% | 7 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 74% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 82% |
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|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| VXUS | 87.06 | 0.29 | +0.33% |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | |||
| EZM | 74.87 | 0.16 | +0.21% |
| WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings ETF | |||
| JABS | 49.94 | 0.06 | +0.12% |
| Janus Henderson Asset-Backed Secs ETF | |||
| IWML | 31.45 | N/A | N/A |
| ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Size Fctr TR ETN | |||
| UJUN | 38.40 | -0.06 | -0.16% |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra BffrETF™-Jun | |||
HZO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HZO has been loosely correlated with AN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HZO jumps, then AN could also see price increases.