PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INCREASES DIVIDEND BY 10%

Rhea-AI Summary

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, marking a 10% increase. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2024. President Robert Kurnick, Jr. stated that the company's strong balance sheet and cash flow allowed them to reward shareholders.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement by Penske Automotive Group of a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend is a strong indicator of the company's financial health and confidence in its cash flow sustainability. Dividends are a portion of earnings returned to shareholders and an increase often signals a company's robust profitability and a positive outlook on future earnings. For investors, this could imply a reliable income stream and may also attract income-focused investors, potentially increasing the stock's demand.

However, it is crucial to analyze the payout ratio to ensure that the dividends are not compromising the company's ability to reinvest in growth opportunities. Additionally, investors should consider the yield relative to industry peers and fixed income alternatives. A dividend yield that is too high can sometimes be a red flag, indicating that the market is skeptical about the sustainability of the dividend or the company's growth prospects.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, Penske Automotive Group's dividend increase may reflect a broader trend in the automotive retail sector, where companies are leveraging strong balance sheets to deliver shareholder value. In this context, Penske's move could be seen as a competitive response to ensure it remains an attractive investment relative to its peers. Market sentiment towards the automotive sector, influenced by factors such as consumer spending patterns and economic conditions, will also play a role in how this news is received by the market.

Furthermore, the timing of the announcement may be strategic, aiming to signal stability amidst a potentially volatile market environment. As such, it could serve to bolster investor confidence during periods of uncertainty, particularly in industries susceptible to economic cycles, like automotive retail.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Jan. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, representing an increase of 10%.  "We are pleased to provide an increase in the cash dividend.   The strength of our balance sheet and our continued strong cash flow enables us to reward our shareholders," said Penske Automotive Group President, Robert Kurnick, Jr.  The dividend is payable March 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2024.

About Penske Automotive

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers. PAG operates dealerships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner. PAG also distributes and retails commercial vehicles, diesel and gas engines, power systems, and related parts and services principally in Australia and New Zealand. PAG employs over 28,000 people worldwide. Additionally, PAG owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions ("PTS"), a business that employs over 44,000 people worldwide, manages one of the largest, most comprehensive and modern trucking fleets in North America with over 442,000 trucks, tractors, and trailers under lease, rental, and/or maintenance contracts and provides innovative transportation, supply chain, and technology solutions to its customers. PAG is a member of the Fortune 500, Russell 1000, Russell 3000 index and S&P 400 Mid Cap Indexes. For additional information, including the Company's 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report highlighting its strategies, activities, and certain metrics, visit the Company's website at www.penskeautomotive.com.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release may involve forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements regarding Penske Automotive Group, Inc.'s profitability and cash flow.  Actual results may vary materially because of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those risks and uncertainties related to macro-economic, geo-political and industry conditions and events, including their impact on new and used vehicle sales, the availability of consumer credit, changes in consumer demand, consumer confidence levels, fuel prices, personal discretionary spending levels, interest rates, and unemployment rates; our ability to obtain vehicles and parts from our manufacturers, especially in light of supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters, the shortage of vehicle components, the war in Ukraine, challenges in sourcing labor, or labor strikes or work stoppages, or other disruptions; changes in the retail model either from direct sales by manufacturers, a transition to an agency model of sales, sales by online competitors, or from the expansion of electric vehicles; the effects of a pandemic on the global economy, including our ability to react effectively to changing business conditions in light of any pandemic; the rate of inflation, including its impact on vehicle affordability; changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; with respect to PTS, changes in the financial health of its customers, labor strikes or work stoppages by its employees, a reduction in PTS' asset utilization rates, continued availability from truck manufacturers and suppliers of vehicles and parts for its fleet, potential decreases in the resale value of used vehicles which may affect PTS' ability to sell its used vehicles after the expiration of its customers' leases or at the end of its holding period for rental vehicles, which may affect PTS' profitability and regulatory risks and related compliance costs; our ability to realize returns on our significant capital investment in new and upgraded dealership facilities; our ability to navigate a rapidly changing automotive and truck landscape; our ability to respond to new or enhanced regulations in both our domestic and international markets relating to automotive and commercial truck dealerships and vehicles sales, including those related to the sales process or emissions standards, as well as changes in consumer sentiment relating to commercial truck sales that may hinder our or PTS' ability to maintain, acquire, sell, or operate trucks; the success of our distribution of commercial vehicles, engines, and power systems; natural disasters; recall initiatives or other disruptions that interrupt the supply of vehicles or parts to us; the outcome of legal and administrative matters, and other factors over which management has limited control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about Penske Automotive Group's business, markets, conditions, risks, and other uncertainties, which could affect Penske Automotive Group's future performance. The risks and uncertainties discussed above are not exhaustive and additional risk and uncertainties are addressed in Penske Automotive Group's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, its Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release speaks only as of its date, and Penske Automotive Group disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Inquiries should contact:

Shelley Hulgrave	Anthony Pordon
Executive Vice President and	Executive Vice President Investor Relations
Chief Financial Officer	and Corporate Development
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.	Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
248-648-2812	248-648-2540
shulgrave@penskeautomotive.com	tpordon@penskeautomotive.com

 

 

 

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SOURCE Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the quarterly dividend approved by Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG)?

The approved quarterly dividend is $0.87 per share, representing a 10% increase.

When is the dividend payable to shareholders of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG)?

The dividend is payable on March 1, 2024.

Who is the President of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG)?

Robert Kurnick, Jr. is the President of Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

What is the ticker symbol for Penske Automotive Group, Inc.?

The ticker symbol for Penske Automotive Group, Inc. is PAG.