AutoNation P/E
The (Price Earnings Ratio) is an important metric for stock valuation. It is calculated by dividing the current share price by the earnings per share. The P/E indicates how many years it would take to recoup the current share price through the expected earnings per share. A low P/E may indicate that a stock is undervalued, while a high P/E may suggest an overvalued stock. However, the P/E alone should not be considered the sole basis for an investment decision, as other factors must also be taken into account. of AutoNation (AN) as of Jul 22, 2026 is 10.52. In the previous year, (Price Earnings Ratio) is an important metric for stock valuation. It is calculated by dividing the current share price by the earnings per share. The P/E indicates how many years it would take to recoup the current share price through the expected earnings per share. A low P/E may indicate that a stock is undervalued, while a high P/E may suggest an overvalued stock. However, the P/E alone should not be considered the sole basis for an investment decision, as other factors must also be taken into account. was 9.87 — a change of 6.64% (higher).
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P/E
10.52
YoY
6.64%
Last updated:
As of Jul 22, 2026, AutoNation's P/E ratio was 10.52, a 6.64% change from the 9.87 P/E ratio recorded in the previous year.
The AutoNation P/E history
3 Years
10 Years
25 Years
Max
| YEAR | P/E |
|---|---|
| 2026 est | 8.91 |
| 2025 | 12.12 |
| 2024 | 10.04 |
| 2023 | 6.60 |
| 2022 | 4.44 |
| 2021 | 6.38 |
| 2020 | 16.26 |
| 2019 | 9.83 |
| 2018 | 8.20 |
| 2017 | 11.56 |
| 2016 | 11.74 |
| 2015 | 15.35 |
| 2014 | 17.16 |
| 2013 | 16.30 |
| 2012 | 15.83 |
| 2011 | 19.29 |
| 2010 | 19.75 |
| 2009 | 17.12 |
| 2008 | -1.41 |
| 2007 | 11.23 |
| 2006 | 15.40 |
AutoNation Valuation
Details
Historical Valuation Multiples
ⓘPrice-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E)
The P/E ratio divides AutoNation's share price by its earnings per share. It tells you how many years of current earnings you are "paying for" when you buy the stock. A P/E of 20 means you pay $20 for every $1 of annual earnings. The S&P 500 historically trades at an average P/E of roughly 15–17. A P/E significantly above that may signal high growth expectations; one below may indicate undervaluation — or declining business quality.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S)
The P/S ratio divides market capitalization by total revenue. Unlike the P/E ratio, it works even for companies that are not yet profitable, making it essential for evaluating high-growth firms. A P/S below 1.0 may indicate undervaluation, while ratios above 10 are typically reserved for fast-growing tech or SaaS companies with high expected future margins.
Price-to-EBIT Ratio
This ratio relates AutoNation's market price to its operating earnings, excluding the effects of debt structure and tax jurisdiction. It is particularly useful for comparing companies across different countries or with different levels of leverage, because it focuses purely on operational profitability. Lower values suggest cheaper operational earnings.
How to Use This Chart
This chart plots AutoNation's valuation multiples over time. Compare the current P/E, P/S, and P/EBIT to their own historical averages — if the current ratio is well below the multi-year average, the stock may be relatively cheap compared to its own track record. Combine this with industry comparisons: a P/E that looks high in absolute terms may be justified if AutoNation grows earnings faster than its peers.
AutoNation Stock analysis
P/E Details
Deciphering AutoNation's P/E Ratio
The Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio of AutoNation is a vital metric that investors and analysts use to determine the company’s market value relative to its earnings. It is calculated by dividing the current stock price by the earnings per share (EPS). A higher P/E ratio could suggest that investors are expecting higher future growth, while a lower ratio may indicate a potentially undervalued company or lower growth expectations.
Year-to-Year Comparison
Assessing AutoNation's P/E ratio on a yearly basis provides insights into the valuation trends and investor sentiment. An increasing P/E ratio over the years signifies growing investor confidence and expectations for future earnings growth, while a decreasing ratio may reflect concerns over the company's profitability or growth prospects.
Impact on Investments
The P/E ratio of AutoNation is a key consideration for investors aiming to balance risk and reward. A comprehensive analysis of this ratio, in conjunction with other financial indicators, aids investors in making informed decisions regarding buying, holding, or selling the company’s stocks.
Interpreting P/E Ratio Fluctuations
Fluctuations in AutoNation’s P/E ratio can be attributed to various factors including changes in earnings, stock price movements, and shifts in investor expectations. Understanding the underlying reasons for these fluctuations is essential for predicting future stock performance and assessing the company's intrinsic value.
Frequently Asked Questions about AutoNation stock
(Price Earnings Ratio) is an important metric for stock valuation. It is calculated by dividing the current share price by the earnings per share. The P/E indicates how many years it would take to recoup the current share price through the expected earnings per share. A low P/E may indicate that a stock is undervalued, while a high P/E may suggest an overvalued stock. However, the P/E alone should not be considered the sole basis for an investment decision, as other factors must also be taken into account. of AutoNation is 10.52 in 2026.
The P/E ratio in evaluating a stock.
The price-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) is an important financial ratio that is often used by investors to assess the attractiveness of a stock. It is an indicator of a company's earnings and valuation, and provides an indication of whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued. It is also used as an indicator of whether a stock is "expensive" or "cheap".
History of P/E ratio
The P/E ratio was first used in 1881 by the famous financial scientist Benjamin Graham. He developed the P/E ratio as a means to evaluate whether a stock is trading at a "good" or "bad" price. Since then, the P/E ratio has had a long history in the financial world, particularly among investors who are looking for a way to evaluate stocks in an informed manner.
Calculation of the P/E ratio
The P/E ratio is calculated by dividing the current stock price by the earnings per share. A simple formula for calculating the P/E ratio is as follows:
P/E ratio = Stock price / Earnings per share
Example: If a stock is traded at the current price of $10 and the earnings per share is $1, the P/E ratio would be 10 ($10 / $1 = 10).
Application of the P/E ratio
Investors use the P/E ratio to assess the attractiveness of a stock. A high P/E ratio can indicate that a stock is overvalued, while a low P/E ratio means that a stock is undervalued. Investors can then decide whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock based on this information. Another reason why investors use the P/E ratio is to check how stocks perform compared to other stocks or the market as a whole. If a stock's P/E ratio is higher than the overall market's P/E ratio, this may mean that the stock is overvalued, and investors can decide whether to sell or hold the stock. Investors usually also use the P/E ratio to compare stocks over time. If a stock has a P/E ratio of 10 and a year later has a P/E ratio of 20, this may mean that the stock is overvalued. Investors can then decide whether to hold or sell the stock.
Advantages and Disadvantages of using the P/E ratio
BenefitsThe P/E ratio is a useful tool to assess the attractiveness of a stock and to evaluate how a stock is performing compared to the market. It is a simple tool that can assist investors in deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock.
DisadvantagesThe P/E ratio is a simple tool that does not provide any information about the future performance of a stock. It can be difficult to predict the future performance of a stock, and sometimes the P/E ratio can give a false picture of a stock. Therefore, investors must be cautious when relying on the P/E ratio.
In addition, the P/E ratio can vary depending on the industry, which makes comparability difficult. For example, a stock in a certain industry may have a low P/E ratio, while another stock in a different industry may have a higher P/E ratio. Therefore, investors must be cautious when relying on the P/E ratio.
Conclusion
The P/E ratio is a useful tool that can assist investors in assessing the attractiveness and value of a stock. It can also be used to check how a stock is performing in comparison to the market. However, it is important to note that it is a simple tool that does not make any statement about the future performance of a stock, and investors must be cautious when relying on the P/E ratio.
Valuation — AutoNation
All Key Metrics — AutoNation
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