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AN vs PAG
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoNation, Inc. (AN) vs. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AN and PAG operate in the automotive retail sector, with PAG boasting a larger market capitalization of $10.7 billion compared to AN's $7.3 billion.
- In recent weeks, shares of both stocks have risen, with PAG gaining approximately 9% from early April levels around $149 to $163, outpacing AN's roughly 7% increase from $196 to $210.
- PAG offers a forward dividend yield of 3.44% ($5.60 annually), while AN pays no dividend, appealing to income-focused investors.
- Valuation metrics are similar, with trailing P/E ratios (price-to-earnings) of 12.3 for AN and 11.5 for PAG, alongside EPS (earnings per share) of $17.03 and $14.13, respectively.
- Year-to-date, PAG leads with 3.76% gains versus AN's 1.48%, reflecting stronger relative momentum amid sector headwinds.
- Both companies report upcoming Q1 2026 earnings, with PAG on April 29 and AN on May 1, potentially influencing near-term sentiment.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines AN (AutoNation, Inc.) and PAG (Penske Automotive Group, Inc.), two prominent players in the automotive retail industry. Both companies navigate similar challenges, including fluctuating vehicle demand, elevated interest rates, and shifting consumer preferences toward electric vehicles. Traders seeking short-term momentum and investors focused on consumer discretionary exposure, dividends, or sector recovery will find value in analyzing their relative performance, valuations, and growth drivers. Recent market activity highlights divergent momentum within the sector, offering insights into positioning amid broader economic uncertainties.
AN Overview and Recent Performance
AutoNation, Inc. (AN) is a leading U.S. automotive retailer operating over 250 dealerships primarily in the Sunbelt region, offering new and used vehicles across domestic, import, and premium luxury segments, alongside finance, parts, and collision services. In recent weeks, AN shares have climbed from around $196 in early April to approximately $210, supported by robust March new-car sales that rose 19% year-over-year. Sentiment has been bolstered by acquisition activity, such as the addition of dealerships, though short interest increased 20.2% in March, signaling some bearish bets. Analyst price targets average $237, implying potential upside, with beta (volatility relative to the market) at 0.81 indicating moderate stability. Upcoming Q1 earnings on May 1 could provide further catalysts amid sector pressures like high inventory and affordability concerns.
PAG Overview and Recent Performance
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) is a diversified global transportation services provider with dealerships in multiple countries, focusing on retail automotive, commercial trucks, and related services under brands like Freightliner. Shares have shown stronger momentum in recent market activity, advancing from near $149 in early April to about $163, with a notable 3.4% gain on April 17 alone. This performance reflects positive analyst updates, including Citi's buy rating with a $193 target, and an attractive dividend profile. Beta stands at 0.86, with year-to-date gains outpacing peers. Q1 earnings scheduled for April 29 are anticipated to shed light on international operations and truck segment resilience, influencing ongoing sentiment in a competitive landscape marked by used vehicle pricing dynamics.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AN and PAG share core business models in vehicle sales and services but diverge in scope: AN emphasizes U.S. passenger cars in key metropolitan areas, while PAG extends internationally with commercial truck exposure, offering diversification against domestic slowdowns. Growth drivers include acquisitions for both, though PAG's global footprint mitigates U.S.-centric risks. Recent momentum favors PAG with superior YTD returns and dividend support, contrasting AN's stronger one-year outperformance. Risk factors are comparable, including high debt-to-equity ratios and sensitivity to auto financing costs, but PAG's larger scale provides buffer. Market sentiment leans positive for both, with analyst targets suggesting modest upside, amid sector trends like improving sales volumes versus affordability hurdles.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward PAG in this matchup, driven by its steadier recent momentum, dividend yield for income stability, larger market positioning, and international diversification amid U.S. auto market volatility. While AN shows solid sales growth and valuation appeal, PAG's relative trend consistency and lower P/E position it favorably for probabilistic outperformance in the near term, pending earnings outcomes.
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 PAG 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 whilePAG’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- PAG’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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PAG’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- PAG’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AN (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а -2.63% price change this week, while PAG (@Automotive Aftermarket) price change was -2.82% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was -1.89%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was -21.08%.
Reported Earning Dates
AN is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
PAG is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (-1.89% 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 | PAG | AN / PAG | |
| Capitalization | 6.3B | 11.5B | 55% |
| EBITDA | 1.64B | 1.68B | 97% |
| Gain YTD | -8.805 | 12.491 | -70% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.21 | 12.65 | 81% |
| Revenue | 27.5B | 31.7B | 87% |
| Total Cash | 65.5M | 83.7M | 78% |
| Total Debt | 10.5B | 9.21B | 114% |
AN | PAG | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 84 | 76 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 68 Overvalued | 31 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 20 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 34 | 53 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | 49 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 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.
PAG's Valuation (31) in the Specialty Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AN (68). This means that PAG’s stock grew somewhat faster than AN’s over the last 12 months.
PAG's Profit vs Risk Rating (20) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (30). This means that PAG’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
AN's SMR Rating (34) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as PAG (53). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to PAG’s over the last 12 months.
PAG's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (54). This means that PAG’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
PAG's P/E Growth Rating (49) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AN (65). This means that PAG’s stock grew similarly to AN’s over the last 12 months.
| AN | PAG | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 67% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 56% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 67% | 15 days ago 70% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 16 days ago 61% | 9 days ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 58% |
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AN and
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.
PAG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PAG has been closely correlated with ABG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PAG jumps, then ABG could also see price increases.