GPI GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC

NYSE Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations DE CIK: 0001031203
AI RATING
SELL
85% Confidence

Investment Thesis

Despite 13.2% revenue growth, net income expanded only 1.2%, indicating severe margin compression and operational stress. Liquidity metrics are concerning with a 0.95x current ratio and 0.21x quick ratio, while the company generates minimal free cash flow (0.2% FCF margin) despite $5.4B in revenue. The combination of weak profitability (2.4% net margin, 4.6% ROE), high leverage (1.00x D/E), and depleted cash reserves ($41.7M) presents significant fundamental deterioration.

Strengths

  • + Strong top-line growth of 13.2% YoY demonstrates market demand and operational scale
  • + Excellent interest coverage ratio of 35.2x provides debt service safety
  • + Operating cash flow of $92.4M shows the business can still generate cash despite profitability pressures

Risks

  • ! Severe margin compression: revenue up 13.2% but net income up only 1.2% suggests cost structure misalignment or unfavorable product mix
  • ! Critical liquidity stress with current ratio of 0.95x and quick ratio of 0.21x indicates potential working capital deficit and payment constraints
  • ! Minimal cash position ($41.7M) relative to $10.1B asset base and $2.9B long-term debt creates financial inflexibility
  • ! EPS declined 31.4% YoY despite slight net income growth, indicating share dilution or negative non-operating items
  • ! Anemic free cash flow generation (0.2% FCF margin) limits capital allocation flexibility and debt reduction capacity

Key Metrics to Watch

Financial Metrics

Revenue
5.4B
Net Income
130.2M
EPS (Diluted)
$10.85
Free Cash Flow
8.4M
Total Assets
10.1B
Cash
41.7M

Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin 16.2%
Operating Margin 4.5%
Net Margin 2.4%
ROE 4.6%
ROA 1.3%
FCF Margin 0.2%

Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
0.95x
Quick Ratio
0.21x
Debt/Equity
1.00x
Debt/Assets
0.0%
Interest Coverage
35.16x
Long-term Debt
2.9B
Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: 2026-05-06T17:44:50.104149 | Data as of: 2026-03-31 | Powered by Claude AI