Barclays Begins Coverage of Penske Automotive Group with Overweight Rating and Sets Price Target at $195
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Source of Reports: The reports are excerpts from various investment and research firms, recently issued and edited by Barron’s.
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- Strong Profitability: Penske Automotive Group delivered 485,000 new and nearly 19,000 commercial vehicles in 2025, generating $31 billion in revenue and $1.3 billion in earnings before taxes, demonstrating robust profitability despite market challenges.
- Strategic Acquisitions: The company acquired two Toyota, two Lexus, and one Ferrari dealership in 2025, with these acquisitions expected to yield $2 billion in annualized revenue, further solidifying its position in the premium market.
- Dividend Growth: Penske announced its 21st consecutive dividend increase to $1.40 per share, with a forward yield of 3.4%, reflecting confidence in future cash flows and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Management anticipates a recovery in the commercial truck market and an improved macroeconomic environment in 2026, emphasizing that tax refunds and lower interest rates will positively impact operations, showcasing confidence in future growth.
- Quarterly Highlights: Penske Automotive reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $2.91, falling short of the $3.10 consensus, yet sales surged to $7.769 billion, exceeding estimates of $7.604 billion, indicating resilience in revenue growth despite profitability challenges.
- Profitability Decline: Net income attributable to common stockholders dropped from $249.3 million a year earlier to $186.1 million, with adjusted net income declining 23% to $191.5 million, reflecting pressure on profitability amid a weak truck freight market and uneven global demand.
- Delivery and Sales Performance: Overall new vehicle deliveries fell by 10%, with U.S. units down 8% and international units down 14%, while retail commercial truck dealerships sold 3,789 units, generating $725.4 million in revenue and $33.8 million in pre-tax earnings, highlighting the severity of market challenges.
- Dividend Increase: The company approved a 1.4% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it by 2 cents to $1.40 per share, representing a forward dividend yield of 3.4%, marking the 21st consecutive quarterly increase, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Increase: Penske Automotive declares a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share, representing a 1.4% increase from the previous $1.38, indicating the company's ongoing profitability and stable cash flow.
- Consecutive Growth Record: This increase marks the company's 21st consecutive quarterly dividend hike, reflecting a strong commitment to shareholder returns and bolstering investor confidence.
- Yield Performance: The current dividend yield stands at 3.41%, offering relative attractiveness in the current market environment, which may appeal to income-seeking investors.
- Shareholder Arrangement: The dividend is payable on March 5, with a record date of February 25 and an ex-dividend date also on February 25, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying the company's relationship with its investors.
- Financial Performance Overview: In Q4 2025, Penske Automotive Group reported revenues of $7.769 billion, a 3.8% decline from Q4 2024, with net income of $186.1 million, reflecting a 25.4% decrease, indicating pressure from the macroeconomic environment.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: The Board of Directors declared an increase in cash dividend to $1.40 per share, marking the 21st consecutive increase, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholders despite a decline in overall profitability.
- Inventory Management and Sales Dynamics: New vehicle deliveries decreased by 10% in Q4 2025, with an 8% drop in the U.S. and a 14% decline internationally, primarily due to divestitures of non-strategic dealerships and weak sales of premium brands, reflecting intensified market competition.
- Acquisition and Expansion Strategy: The company recently acquired two Toyota and four Lexus dealerships, expected to add $2 billion in annualized revenue, further driving scale and growth for Penske Automotive Group, despite facing overall market challenges.
- Earnings Performance: Penske Automotive reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $2.83, missing expectations by $0.19, indicating pressure on profitability that could affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $7.77 billion, reflecting a 0.9% year-over-year increase and beating market expectations by $140 million, demonstrating resilience in sales amidst a competitive landscape.
- Market Reaction: Despite the revenue beat, the earnings miss may lead to short-term stock price volatility, prompting investors to monitor future profitability improvement measures closely.
- Future Outlook: As market scrutiny on the automotive sector intensifies, Penske Automotive must implement effective strategies to enhance profitability and shareholder returns, ensuring the restoration of investor confidence in upcoming financial reports.







