Top 3 Picks
2026 Outlook
Sector trends for 2026 point to modest new-vehicle sales recovery as financing costs stabilize, alongside accelerated digital platforms and service revenue diversification that could lift margins 100-200 bps for efficient operators. Used-car wholesale volumes are expected to rebound with auction platforms gaining share, while convenience-fuel hybrids like CASY add defensive growth. High-scoring names with sub-$5B caps may deliver outsized returns on volume normalization.
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Stock | Score | Price | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
|
61.7 | $81.00 | $2.6B |
|
2
|
Casey's General Stores Inc
|
57.8 | $756.09 | $20.8B |
|
3
|
OPENLANE, Inc
|
55.7 | $30.80 | $3.0B |
|
4
|
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
|
54.9 | $217.26 | $4.9B |
|
5
|
MURPHY USA INC.
|
54.0 | $511.33 | $7.6B |
|
6
|
Lithia Motors, Inc.
|
53.4 | $386.81 | $8.3B |
|
7
|
Rush Enterprises Inc
|
53.1 | $51.82 | $4.5B |
|
8
|
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
|
51.5 | $219.77 | $11.7B |
|
9
|
Camping World Holdings, Inc.
|
50.1 | $6.96 | $1.0B |
|
10
|
Rush Enterprises Inc
|
48.6 | $50.95 | $4.1B |
|
11
|
AutoNation, Inc.
|
47.8 | $212.36 | $8.4B |
|
12
|
Copart Inc
|
47.8 | $33.72 | $43.6B |
|
13
|
Carvana Co.
|
45.3 | $74.59 | $54.6B |
|
14
|
CarMax Inc.
|
43.4 | $63.29 | $6.8B |
|
15
|
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
|
35.9 | $300.76 | $5.8B |
In-Depth Analysis: Top Auto Dealers Stocks
SAH
Sonic Automotive is one of the largest auto dealership groups in the United States. The company has 108 franchised stores in 18 states, primarily in metropolitan areas in California, Texas, and the Southeast, plus 18 EchoPark used-vehicle stores, 16 collision centers, and 14 powersports locations. The franchise stores derive revenue from new and used vehicles plus parts and collision repair, …
Sonic Automotive ranks among the largest U.S. auto dealership groups, operating 108 franchised stores across 18 states plus 18 EchoPark used-vehicle stores, 16 collision centers, and 14 powersports locations concentrated in key markets like California and Texas.
The company posts a low 1.4% profit margin yet delivers a strong 20.6% ROE, indicating efficient equity utilization, alongside 7.6% revenue growth and a 12.4 P/E ratio that reflects moderate valuation.
SAH offers upside for 2026 through its diversified EchoPark and powersports segments that can capture shifting demand beyond new-vehicle sales. A 12.4 P/E paired with 20.6% ROE and 7.6% revenue growth positions the stock as potentially undervalued relative to returns. Expansion in high-growth metro areas of California and Texas further supports volume gains in a stabilizing auto sector.
CASY
Casey's General Stores Inc serves as convenience store chain with its 2,900 locations, positioned in the Midwest United States. About half of Casey's stores are located in rural towns with populations under 5,000. While fueling stations serve as a key traffic driver, about two-thirds of the company's gross profit stems from in-store sales of grocery items, prepared meals, and general …
Casey's General Stores operates 2,900 convenience locations across the Midwest with fueling stations as a primary traffic driver, establishing it as a relevant participant in the Auto Dealers sector through rural auto fuel and service retail.
Casey's reports a 4.1% profit margin alongside a 19.1% ROE and 14.5% revenue growth, reflecting efficient operations and solid returns on equity despite a premium P/E of 39.4.
CASY's 14.5% revenue growth and 19.1% ROE support expansion in underserved rural Midwest markets with populations under 5,000, where half its stores operate. Fueling stations anchor consistent customer traffic that bolsters margins in the Auto Dealers sector. The Tradestie Score of 57.8/100 combined with scale of 2,900 locations positions the stock for upside in 2026 as rural demand stabilizes.
KAR
Openlane Inc provides a digital marketplace for used vehicles, connecting sellers and buyers in North America and Europe for fast and transparent transactions. Its services include financing, repossessions, repairs, transportation, warranty, and inventory management. The company operates used-vehicle auctions and has two main segments: Marketplace and Finance, with majority revenue coming from the Marketplace segment, which to used vehicle remarketing, …
OPENLANE operates a digital marketplace connecting used-vehicle sellers and buyers across North America and Europe, with ancillary services in financing, repossessions, repairs, and inventory management that streamline transactions in the Auto Dealers sector.
OPENLANE reports a 9.0% profit margin and 8.6% ROE alongside 8.4% revenue growth, indicating moderate profitability and financial stability, while the 35.1 P/E ratio reflects premium valuation tied to its digital platform scale.
OPENLANE's 8.4% revenue growth and integrated service offerings position it to capture rising used-vehicle volumes in 2026 as digital marketplaces gain share from traditional dealers. Its 55.7/100 Tradestie Score and 9.0% margins support margin expansion potential if transaction activity accelerates in North America and Europe. The 8.6% ROE provides a base for equity value creation amid sector digitization.
ABG
Asbury Automotive Group is a regional collection of automobile dealerships that went public in March 2002. The company operates 152 new-vehicle stores and 37 collision centers. Over 70% of new-vehicle revenue is from luxury and import brands. Asbury also offers third-party financing and insurance products and its own F&I products via Total Care Auto. Asbury operates in 14 states (mostly …
Asbury Automotive Group operates 152 new-vehicle stores and 37 collision centers, with over 70% of new-vehicle revenue derived from luxury and import brands, making it a scaled regional player in the Auto Dealers sector emphasizing higher-margin vehicle categories.
ABG reports a 2.8% profit margin and 13.2% ROE alongside 0.3% revenue growth, reflecting steady but limited operational efficiency and equity returns in a low-growth environment, supported by a P/E of 7.9 that signals compressed valuation multiples.
The 7.9 P/E ratio positions ABG as undervalued relative to sector norms, offering upside from its luxury and import brand focus that supports premium pricing and ancillary financing revenue. With 152 stores and collision centers providing diversified income, the company is set for earnings expansion in 2026 as vehicle demand stabilizes. Investors may benefit from multiple compression reversal amid modest revenue recovery.
MUSA
Murphy USA operates more than 1,700 fueling stations and convenience stores primarily across the Midwest and Southeastern United States. The firm owns about 75% of its locations, with most stores situated in high-traffic areas near Walmart supercenters. Murphy's stores typically range from 1,400-2,800 square feet, with most of its in-store sales derived from tobacco and nicotine products. The company acquired …
Murphy USA operates over 1,700 fueling stations and convenience stores in high-traffic Walmart-adjacent locations across the Midwest and Southeast, controlling 75% of its sites and serving as a major fuel and retail node tied to vehicle usage in the Auto Dealers sector.
The company delivers a 3.2% profit margin alongside an exceptional 86.4% ROE and 40.8% revenue growth, reflecting efficient operations and strong returns on equity despite typical retail margins and a P/E of 15.9.
MUSA offers a compelling 2026 entry point given its owned real estate portfolio enabling margin expansion, consistent high-traffic fuel demand near Walmarts, and a 15.9 P/E that prices in growth below the 40.8% revenue trajectory. Ownership of 75% of locations supports scalable capex control and resilience in fuel retail volumes. These factors position the stock for re-rating as sector volumes stabilize post-2025.
LAD
Lithia Motors is a retailer of new and used vehicles and related services. The company offers over 50 brands of vehicles at nearly 500 stores globally across the US, Canada, and UK. The company has expanded largely through the acquisition of dealerships in smaller regional markets but now seeks to grow in any part of the US and we expect …
Lithia Motors operates nearly 500 stores across the US, Canada, and UK, representing over 50 vehicle brands as one of the largest players in the Auto Dealers sector through its acquisition-led expansion into regional markets.
The company's 1.9% profit margin and 10.7% ROE reflect moderate returns in a high-volume, low-margin industry, while 2.2% revenue growth and a 12.3 P/E ratio suggest stable but not exceptional financial health with room for efficiency gains.
Lithia's ongoing shift from smaller-market acquisitions to broader scale could drive revenue above 2.2% by 2026 through increased used vehicle and service sales. Its 12.3 P/E provides an attractive entry point relative to earnings, and a Tradestie Score of 53.4/100 indicates potential upside if margins expand from the current 1.9% level.
RUSHB
Rush Enterprises Inc is a full-service, integrated retailer of commercial vehicles and related services. The company operates in a single segment; Truck Segment includes the operation of a network of commercial vehicle dealerships under the name Rush Truck Centers. It sells commercial vehicles manufactured by Peterbilt, International, Hino, Ford, Isuzu, IC Bus, and Blue Bird and also provides one-stop service …
Rush Enterprises Inc operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the US under Rush Truck Centers, making it a central player in the Auto Dealers sector for trucking and logistics fleet needs.
A 3.7% profit margin paired with 11.8% ROE reflects stable but moderate profitability and capital efficiency, while -1.6% revenue growth and a 22.2 P/E ratio signal resilience amid sector cyclicality.
RUSHB's integrated sales and service model in the Truck Segment positions it to capture 2026 demand recovery in commercial vehicles, where its 11.8% ROE could translate into earnings expansion from the current -1.6% revenue base. At a 22.2 P/E, the stock offers reasonable valuation for investors targeting normalized growth in fleet spending, with the Tradestie Score of 53.1 indicating room for upside re-rating.
PAG
Penske Automotive Group operates in 19 US states and overseas. It has over 150 US and Puerto Rico light-vehicle stores as well as 210 franchised dealerships overseas, primarily in the United Kingdom but also in Australia, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The company is the third-largest US publicly traded dealership in terms of light-vehicle revenue and sells more than 40 brands, …
As the third-largest US publicly traded auto dealer, Penske Automotive Group operates over 150 US and Puerto Rico light-vehicle stores plus 210 overseas franchised dealerships across the UK, Australia, Germany, Italy, and Japan, establishing it as a scaled player with diversified geographic reach in the Auto Dealers sector.
PAG's 2.8% profit margin reflects typical thin dealer economics, while its 15.8% ROE signals efficient capital deployment; 6.0% revenue growth and a 15.8 P/E ratio further indicate stable financial health amid sector cyclicality.
PAG's international exposure across five countries offers resilience to US auto sales volatility, complemented by 6.0% revenue growth and a 15.8 P/E that leaves room for multiple expansion if margins improve. Its 15.8% ROE and third-largest scale position the company to capture consolidation opportunities and operational leverage in 2026 as vehicle demand rebounds.
CWH
Camping World Holdings Inc is a retailer of RVs and related products and services. The company has two reportable segments; the Good Sam Services and Plans segment, which includes the sale of emergency roadside assistance plans; commissions on property and casualty insurance programs; travel assist programs; extended vehicle service contracts; vehicle financing and refinancing assistance; consumer shows and events; and …
Camping World Holdings, Inc. operates as a specialized retailer of RVs and related products within the Auto Dealers sector, with its Good Sam Services and Plans segment generating revenue from roadside assistance plans, property and casualty insurance commissions, and travel assistance.
The company reports a -1.6% profit margin and -26.5% ROE alongside -2.1% revenue growth, reflecting ongoing losses, negative equity returns, and contraction in core operations.
The Tradestie Score of 50.1/100 positions CWH for potential stabilization in 2026 as RV demand recovers and the Good Sam segment scales insurance and assistance revenues. Margin expansion could follow from cost controls and segment mix shift toward higher-margin services. Investors may target the stock for cyclical upside in recreational vehicle retail and ancillary offerings.
RUSHA
Rush Enterprises Inc is a full-service, integrated retailer of commercial vehicles and related services. The company operates in a single segment; Truck Segment includes the operation of a network of commercial vehicle dealerships under the name Rush Truck Centers. It sells commercial vehicles manufactured by Peterbilt, International, Hino, Ford, Isuzu, IC Bus, and Blue Bird and also provides one-stop service …
Rush Enterprises operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America via Rush Truck Centers, anchoring the heavy-duty truck segment of the Auto Dealers sector that underpins freight and logistics supply chains.
The 3.7% profit margin paired with 11.8% ROE demonstrates solid operational leverage despite -1.6% revenue contraction, while the 22.3 P/E indicates the market prices in moderate earnings sustainability.
A rebound in commercial truck demand by 2026 could reverse the current -1.6% revenue trend and expand margins above 3.7%, lifting ROE further from 11.8% and justifying the 22.3 P/E multiple. Its integrated parts and service operations provide recurring revenue that cushions cyclical sales volatility. At a Tradestie Score of 48.6, the shares offer entry valuation for investors targeting sector recovery.
Methodology
Stocks are ranked using the Tradestie Score, a proprietary 0-100 rating that combines fundamental quality (profitability, balance sheet strength), growth metrics (revenue and earnings growth), valuation (P/E, PEG ratio), and momentum factors. Scores are updated daily based on the latest market data. Learn more about our methodology.