GPI

We rate GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC (GPI) as Avoid with a composite score of 38.3/100 at a current price of $335.07. The stock falls in the bottom quintile of our universe across key quantitative factors, and the multi-factor weakness suggests a high probability of continued underperformance.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in stability (65th percentile) and value (40th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in momentum (30th percentile) and investment (34th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (55/100), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs; balance sheet deleveraging progress; sustainability of the current growth rate. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Retail Trade sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 38.3/100 places it at rank #3756 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $5.7B in market capitalization, GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC is a mid-cap player in the Retail Trade space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 23%, though momentum at the 30th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 16% (-20.0pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 4% (-0.2pp vs sector) and net margins of 1.8%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 11%. The significant margin erosion from gross to net suggests elevated operating expenses, high interest costs, or other structural drags that warrant monitoring.

At a current price of $335.07, GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC is trading at a premium to fundamental value. Our value factor score of 40/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. The premium valuation implies the market is pricing in significant future growth or quality improvements that are not yet fully reflected in current fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 10.3x (a 52% discount to the sector median of 21.4x), EV/EBITDA of 4.4x (discounted to peers), P/B of 1.5x, P/S of 0.2x. The below-sector P/E suggests possible undervaluation or the market pricing in near-term headwinds.

We assign a High uncertainty rating to GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC. Key risk factors include significant leverage (271% debt-to-equity), the combination of leverage (271% D/E) and thin margins (1.8% net) amplifies downside risk. The wide range of potential outcomes widens our fair value estimate and increases the possibility of permanent capital impairment. Investors considering this name should size positions accordingly and demand a meaningful margin of safety before initiating.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: significant leverage (271% debt-to-equity); the combination of leverage (271% D/E) and thin margins (1.8% net) amplifies downside risk. Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 65th percentile and quality factor at the 36th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: above-average stability (65th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile warrants caution and disciplined position management.

We rate GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC's capital allocation as Poor. Key concerns include elevated leverage (271% D/E). Exemplary capital allocators generate ROE above 20% and maintain conservative leverage — GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC significantly underperforms these benchmarks, raising questions about management's ability to create shareholder value.

Investors should scrutinize management's reinvestment decisions and balance sheet trajectory before committing capital. Poor capital allocation often compounds over time: overlevered balance sheets limit strategic flexibility, while low returns on capital destroy shareholder value. We would need to see sustained improvement in profitability metrics and balance sheet discipline before considering an upgrade.

In summary, GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC receives a Avoid rating with a composite score of 38.3/100 (rank #3756 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (55/100, trend: stable), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 41/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC at this time. The combination of the current quantitative profile, high uncertainty, and poor capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.