Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Purchases 351 Shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) by 234.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 501 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 351 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Asbury Automotive Group were worth $122,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ABG. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. KBC Group NV grew its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 52.3% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 769 shares of the company’s stock worth $187,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Asbury Automotive Group by 17.2% during the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 839 shares of the company’s stock valued at $204,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR bought a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $213,000. Finally, Highland Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $216,000.

Insider Buying and Selling at Asbury Automotive Group

In other news, COO Daniel Clara sold 1,217 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $296.64, for a total value of $361,010.88. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 3,747 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,111,510.08. This represents a 24.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.53% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ABG has been the subject of several research reports. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $220.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Craig Hallum lowered shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Asbury Automotive Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $264.00.

Asbury Automotive Group Price Performance

NYSE ABG opened at $255.27 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.01 billion, a PE ratio of 11.87 and a beta of 1.20. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $202.98 and a 52 week high of $312.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $268.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $250.20.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts, and collision repair services.