Blue Trust Inc. Sells 164 Shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)

Blue Trust Inc. reduced its position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) by 22.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 556 shares of the company’s stock after selling 164 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in Asbury Automotive Group were worth $135,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Stephens Inc. AR bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $213,000. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group during the fourth quarter worth $219,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Asbury Automotive Group by 27.4% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,856 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,666,000 after acquiring an additional 1,476 shares during the period. Financial Strategies Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Asbury Automotive Group by 22.4% during the fourth quarter. Financial Strategies Group Inc. now owns 2,444 shares of the company’s stock worth $581,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the period. Finally, Highland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group during the fourth quarter worth $216,000.

Asbury Automotive Group Trading Down 3.8 %

Shares of Asbury Automotive Group stock opened at $276.73 on Friday. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $202.98 and a 52-week high of $312.56. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $265.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $247.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.87 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Daniel Clara sold 1,217 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.64, for a total transaction of $361,010.88. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 3,747 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,111,510.08. The trade was a 24.52 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.53% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Asbury Automotive Group from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 17th. 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. StockNews.com raised shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Craig Hallum cut shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $220.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $264.00.

Asbury Automotive Group Company Profile

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.