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AutoCanada Inc. (TSE:ACQ)
TSX:ACQ
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AutoCanada (ACQ) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:ACQ

AutoCanada

(TSX:ACQ)

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Neutral 57 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:57Neutral
Price Target:
C$32.00
▼(-6.05% Downside)
AutoCanada's overall stock score is primarily influenced by its financial challenges, including declining revenues and high leverage. However, the positive sentiment from the earnings call, highlighting cost savings and improved profitability, provides some optimism. The technical analysis shows bullish momentum, but overbought conditions suggest caution. The valuation remains weak due to negative earnings and lack of dividends.
Positive Factors
Cost Management
Effective cost management enhances profitability and operational efficiency, allowing AutoCanada to allocate resources towards growth and debt reduction.
Improved Earnings and Margins
Higher EBITDA and margin improvements indicate better operational efficiency, which can drive long-term profitability and competitive positioning.
Successful U.S. Divestiture
Proceeds from divestitures can reduce leverage, improving financial stability and enabling strategic investments in core operations.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue
A decline in revenue suggests challenges in market demand or competitive pressures, potentially impacting long-term growth prospects.
High Leverage
High leverage can constrain financial flexibility and increase vulnerability to economic downturns, affecting long-term sustainability.
Cash Flow Challenges
Declining free cash flow limits the ability to invest in growth opportunities and manage debt, posing risks to financial health.

AutoCanada (ACQ) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

AutoCanada Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAutoCanada Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates franchised automobile dealerships. The company offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles, vehicle leasing, vehicle parts, vehicle maintenance and collision repair services, extended service contracts, and vehicle protection and other after-market products. It also arranges financing and insurance for vehicle purchases by its customers through third-party finance and insurance sources. The company sells its vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Infiniti, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Audi, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Porsche, and Honda brands. As of March 2, 2022, it operated 78 franchised dealerships in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick in Canada, as well as in Illinois, the United States. The company also offers used vehicles online. AutoCanada Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyAutoCanada generates revenue through several key streams. Primarily, the company earns from the sale of new and pre-owned vehicles, representing a significant portion of its income. Additionally, AutoCanada provides financing and insurance products, which contribute to its earnings through interest, premiums, and service fees. The company also profits from its parts, service, and collision repair operations, which offer maintenance and repair services for vehicles. Partnerships with automotive manufacturers and financial institutions enhance its ability to provide comprehensive automotive solutions, while favorable market conditions and consumer demand are crucial factors in its financial performance.

AutoCanada Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 13, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant cost savings, improved profitability, and successful divestitures, contributing to a stronger financial position. However, the company faced challenges with a decline in revenue and volume softness due to transitional activities. Overall, the positive achievements in cost management and earnings growth outweigh the negative aspects.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Significant Cost Savings Achieved
AutoCanada has achieved $80 million of the original $100 million cost savings target and raised the goal to $115 million by year-end 2025.
Improved Earnings and Margins
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations nearly doubled to $64.4 million, with margins improving 240 basis points to 4.8%.
Successful U.S. Divestiture
The company expects $115 million to $130 million in net proceeds from the U.S. dealership sales, which will allow for a significant reduction in leverage.
Enhanced Net Income
Net income from continuing operations was $18.9 million compared to $3.9 million in Q2 last year. Diluted EPS increased to $0.72 from $0.12 per share.
Improved Cash Flow and Liquidity
AutoCanada generated $19.6 million of operating cash flow and closed the quarter with $62.4 million of cash on hand and approximately $257.4 million of available liquidity.
Negative Updates
Revenue Decline
Revenue from continued operations declined 3% year-over-year to $1.34 billion, reflecting lower volumes, particularly in new vehicles and F&I.
Volume Softness
The company experienced near-term sales softness due to dealership archetype transitions and cost savings activities.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of 2025, AutoCanada demonstrated significant financial and operational progress. The company achieved adjusted EBITDA of $64.4 million, a 92.4% increase from the previous year, with margins improving by 240 basis points to 4.8%. This growth was fueled by a $16.9 million or 10% reduction in normalized operating expenses, driven by the ACX Operating Method. Revenue from continued operations declined 3% to $1.34 billion due to lower volumes, but gross profit grew by 2.1%, with an 80 basis point margin increase to 16.8%. The company also realized $80 million of its $100 million cost savings target, raising the goal to $115 million by year-end. Net income from continuing operations increased to $18.9 million from $3.9 million the previous year, with diluted EPS rising to $0.72. AutoCanada ended the quarter with $62.4 million in cash and $257.4 million in available liquidity, positioning itself for future growth as it focuses on completing its U.S. divestiture and further cost savings.

AutoCanada Financial Statement Overview

Summary
AutoCanada faces declining revenue and profitability, with negative net income and high leverage. However, the balance sheet provides some asset backing, offering stability against liabilities.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
The company shows declining revenue and profitability, with TTM revenue decreasing significantly from previous years. The net income has turned negative in the latest TTM period, indicating a significant profitability issue. Gross profit margin has decreased, suggesting cost pressures or pricing challenges. These trends point to potential difficulties in sustaining revenue growth and profitability in a competitive auto dealership market.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet indicates high leverage, with significant debt levels compared to equity, but the equity has remained relatively stable. The debt-to-equity ratio is high, reflecting potential financial risk if revenue declines further. However, the equity ratio suggests a reasonable level of asset backing, providing some stability against liabilities.
Cash Flow
35
Negative
Cash flow from operations has decreased, and free cash flow is negative in the TTM, highlighting liquidity challenges. The operating cash flow to net income ratio indicates that cash generation is weak relative to accounting earnings. There is a need for improved cash management to enhance liquidity and support ongoing operations.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.91B5.35B6.44B6.04B4.65B3.33B
Gross Profit826.68M882.28M479.23M1.04B834.18M547.33M
EBITDA216.49M164.34M217.30M273.15M326.40M100.74M
Net Income-18.01M-68.23M50.49M85.44M164.21M-6.62M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.76B3.01B3.16B2.86B2.26B1.90B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments62.41M67.34M103.15M108.30M102.48M107.70M
Total Debt1.80B2.01B2.23B2.03B1.45B1.35B
Total Liabilities2.26B2.51B2.59B2.37B1.74B1.54B
Stockholders Equity476.45M468.03M534.85M457.90M493.41M341.87M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.70M-2.45M40.02M95.31M78.37M116.90M
Operating Cash Flow26.35M31.63M119.53M147.97M112.94M137.87M
Investing Cash Flow82.71M67.86M-125.43M-228.02M-215.37M-35.12M
Financing Cash Flow-220.17M-93.92M183.60M83.21M97.00M-51.02M

AutoCanada Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price34.06
Price Trends
50DMA
30.39
Positive
100DMA
25.50
Positive
200DMA
21.45
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.23
Positive
RSI
59.63
Neutral
STOCH
30.84
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:ACQ, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 34.06 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 33.91, above the 50-day MA of 30.39, and above the 200-day MA of 21.45, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.23 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 59.63 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 30.84 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:ACQ.

AutoCanada Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
18.26B11.078.76%4.19%-0.54%26.31%
74
Outperform
4.60B22.043.62%1.40%-2.60%-64.22%
64
Neutral
257.92M11.096.01%6.21%-3.50%-22.76%
62
Neutral
814.50M-12.91-4.32%1.79%-8.84%-148.15%
57
Neutral
C$788.50M20.23%-20.36%50.19%
54
Neutral
6.14B-163.06-7.74%1.01%-13.78%-115.58%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:ACQ
AutoCanada
34.06
18.22
115.03%
MGA
Magna International
46.94
6.76
16.82%
EXCOF
Exco Technologies
4.92
-0.72
-12.77%
LIMAF
Linamar
55.79
9.51
20.55%
MRETF
Martinrea International
8.11
-0.27
-3.22%
DOOO
BRP
61.10
1.14
1.90%

AutoCanada Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
AutoCanada Sells Loss-Making U.S. Dealership to Reduce Debt
Positive
Jul 30, 2025

AutoCanada Inc. has completed the sale of its Crystal Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Illinois, which had been generating a loss. The sale, part of a previously announced agreement, brought in approximately $9.9 million, which will be used to reduce the company’s revolving credit facility. This move is likely to improve AutoCanada’s financial position by offloading a loss-making asset and reducing debt.

Business Operations and Strategy
AutoCanada Partners with CarGurus to Boost Digital Strategy
Positive
Jul 21, 2025

AutoCanada Inc. has partnered with CarGurus to enhance its digital marketing and business intelligence strategy in Canada. This collaboration aims to leverage CarGurus’ advanced marketplace and data-driven solutions to improve AutoCanada’s marketing performance and consumer engagement. The partnership is expected to provide AutoCanada’s dealerships with increased visibility and data-informed decision-making capabilities, potentially strengthening its market position and operational efficiency.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
AutoCanada to Divest 13 U.S. Dealerships in Strategic Shift
Neutral
Jul 16, 2025

AutoCanada Inc. has announced definitive agreements to divest 13 of its U.S. dealerships for approximately $82.7 million, as part of its strategy to discontinue its U.S. Operations segment. The divestiture, expected to close in the second half of 2025, marks a significant shift in AutoCanada’s operational focus, potentially impacting its market positioning by concentrating efforts on its Canadian operations. The company remains engaged in selling its remaining four U.S. dealerships, signaling a complete exit from the U.S. market.

Financial Disclosures
AutoCanada to Announce Q2 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
Jul 16, 2025

AutoCanada Inc. announced it will release its Q2 2025 financial results on August 13, 2025, followed by a conference call and webcast for analysts and the public. This announcement allows stakeholders to gain insights into the company’s performance and strategic direction, potentially impacting its market position and investor relations.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
AutoCanada Announces Leadership Transition Amidst Strategic Growth
Positive
Jul 11, 2025

AutoCanada Inc. announced the transition of Paul Antony from Executive Chair to non-executive Chair of the Board, following the appointment of a new CEO. Under Antony’s leadership since 2018, the company has stabilized its operations, reduced debt, and integrated advanced data analytics, positioning itself as a credible consolidator in the Canadian auto retail market. The transition marks a strategic move as the company is now poised for scalable growth, with a strong foundation and operational overhaul in place.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 20, 2025