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AN vs LAD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoNation (AN) vs. Lithia Motors (LAD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AN and LAD operate in the automotive retail sector as major dealership groups, with LAD maintaining a larger scale through broader store networks and international presence.
- Recent market activity shows comparable year-to-date returns near 5% for both stocks amid a broader market environment where the S&P 500 has advanced further.
- AN reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.6 billion with solid earnings per share, supported by after-sales growth and share repurchases.
- LAD posted record Q1 2026 revenue of $9.3 billion and climbed to No. 123 on the 2026 Fortune 500 list, reflecting sustained expansion.
- Stock prices as of early July 2026 stood near $196 for AN and $314 for LAD, with both trading below their respective 52-week highs.
- Relative positioning highlights trade-offs in scale versus operational focus, with sentiment influenced by new-vehicle sales trends and after-sales contributions across recent weeks.
Introduction
AutoNation (AN) and Lithia Motors (LAD) represent two leading players in the U.S. automotive retail industry, making them natural subjects for comparison among investors focused on consumer discretionary and cyclical sectors. Both companies derive revenue primarily from new and used vehicle sales, financing, and after-sales services, exposing them to similar macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, consumer spending, and vehicle supply dynamics. This analysis appeals to traders and long-term investors seeking to evaluate relative performance, business scale differences, and market positioning within the dealership group space during the current environment.
AN Overview and Recent Performance
AutoNation, Inc. operates as one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, managing a network of dealerships that sell new and used vehicles along with related services. In recent weeks, the stock has reflected steady but measured momentum, with a year-to-date return of approximately 5.17% as of early July 2026. The company reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $6.6 billion, down 2% year-over-year, alongside GAAP diluted EPS of $5.85 and adjusted diluted EPS of $4.69. Factors influencing sentiment include record after-sales gross profit, ongoing share repurchases totaling $300 million in the quarter, and resilience in service operations amid softer new-vehicle volumes. Broader market activity has kept the shares in a range below their 52-week high, with performance tied to industry-wide trends in vehicle demand and financing conditions.
LAD Overview and Recent Performance
Lithia Motors, Inc., doing business as Lithia & Driveway, ranks among the largest automotive retailers by revenue, operating hundreds of dealership locations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Recent market activity has shown comparable stability, with year-to-date returns near 5.21% as of early July 2026. The firm delivered record first-quarter 2026 revenue of $9.3 billion, diluted EPS of $4.28, and adjusted diluted EPS of $7.34. Positive drivers include its position at No. 123 on the 2026 Fortune 500 list and continued emphasis on scale through acquisitions and digital channels. Stock behavior has been shaped by after-sales contributions and operational discipline, while remaining below the 52-week high amid sector headwinds related to new-vehicle sales.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
In terms of business model, both AN and LAD focus on franchised dealership operations, yet LAD maintains greater scale with a larger store count and international footprint that supports revenue diversification. Growth drivers differ in emphasis: AN has highlighted share repurchases and after-sales expansion, while LAD continues to pursue acquisitions and operational efficiencies. Recent momentum appears balanced, with both stocks posting similar year-to-date gains that lag the broader S&P 500. Risk factors include exposure to interest-rate sensitivity in vehicle financing and fluctuations in new-vehicle inventory for each. Sector exposure remains aligned within automotive retail, though LAD’s larger revenue base may offer relative stability during periods of uneven consumer demand. Market sentiment reflects cautious optimism tied to earnings resilience rather than aggressive outperformance in either case.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as revenue scale, earnings consistency in the most recent quarter, and relative positioning within the sector, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable trend continuation to LAD. Its larger operational footprint and record quarterly results provide a broader base for stability, though AN demonstrates competitive earnings quality and capital return initiatives that could support outperformance under certain conditions. The assessment remains probabilistic and subject to ongoing market developments.
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.
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 StrongBuy and LAD 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 whileLAD’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- AN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LAD’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 LAD’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 2 bearish.
- LAD’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AN (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а +1.42% price change this week, while LAD (@Automotive Aftermarket) price change was +2.89% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was +0.32%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.58%, and the average quarterly price growth was -19.86%.
Reported Earning Dates
AN is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
LAD is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (+0.32% 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).
| AN | LAD | AN / LAD | |
| Capitalization | 6.47B | 7.25B | 89% |
| EBITDA | 1.64B | 2.18B | 75% |
| Gain YTD | -6.320 | -3.939 | 160% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.49 | 11.09 | 95% |
| Revenue | 27.5B | 37.7B | 73% |
| Total Cash | 65.5M | 421M | 16% |
| Total Debt | 10.5B | 16.1B | 65% |
AN | LAD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 21 | 73 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 70 Overvalued | 47 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 25 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 34 | 69 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | 52 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 70 | 51 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
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.
LAD's Valuation (47) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (70). This means that LAD’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Profit vs Risk Rating (25) in the Specialty Stores industry is significantly better than the same rating for LAD (100). This means that AN’s stock grew significantly faster than LAD’s over the last 12 months.
AN's SMR Rating (34) in the Specialty Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for LAD (69). This means that AN’s stock grew somewhat faster than LAD’s over the last 12 months.
LAD's Price Growth Rating (52) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (59). This means that LAD’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
LAD's P/E Growth Rating (51) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (70). This means that LAD’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
| AN | LAD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 68% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 75% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 78% | 1 day ago 78% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 70% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 66% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 61% | 13 days ago 71% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 87% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 59% |
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Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AN has been closely correlated with PAG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AN jumps, then PAG could also see price increases.