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Auto Trader (ATDRF.US) – Strong Sell: Rating and Stock Analysis 2026/2027

5.96
Analysis framework by , founder of TradeDesk · Data: EODHD, insider trades from SEC Form 4 filings · Updated
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No analysts currently cover Auto Trader with a public price target. We add the price target automatically as soon as at least one analyst publishes a rating. Until then, use the technical analysis and the key figures below.

About Auto Trader – Internet Content & Information

Autotrader Group plc operates an automotive platform in the United Kingdom. The company operates through Autotrader and Autorama segments. It provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan finance products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies. The company also sells new vehicles and accessories; and facilitates the lease of new vehicles. It offers its products to retailers, home traders, and logistics customers. The company was formerly known as Auto Trader Group plc and changed its name to Autotrader Group plc in January 2026. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Manchester, the United Kingdom. Read more about the company

Key Figures for Auto Trader

$4.6B Market cap
$624M Revenue
Internet Content & Information Industry
12.95 P/E
7.31 P/S
9.14 P/B
United States Listed on exchange
plc.autotrader.co.uk Website
Communication Services Sector

What kind of stock is Auto Trader?

Stable stock

Auto Trader is classified as a stable stock.

Score Overview for Auto Trader

💰 Value Score 58/100 (Neutral)
⭐ Quality Score 97/100 (Very High)
🚀 Momentum Score 18/100 (Very Low)
📊 Total Score 57/100

📈 Valuation

Auto Trader trades at a P/E ratio of 13.0, which is below the market average and can point to an attractive price. The forward P/E is 12.5 (4% lower), which suggests the market expects rising earnings. The P/S ratio is 7.3 (high — the market pays a premium for the revenue). The P/B ratio is 9.1.

💵 Profitability & Growth

Auto Trader has a profit margin of 47.1% (excellent) and an operating margin of 62.2%. Return on equity (ROE) is 60.2% — excellent return on equity. Return on assets (ROA) is 36.7%. The latest quarterly earnings grew 5.1% year over year.

🏦 Financial Health

The Piotroski score is 6 out of 9 — good financial health. Altman Z2 is 10.76 (healthy balance sheet — low risk). The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is 12.3% — low debt, a solid balance sheet.

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Auto Trader Dividend

How much does Auto Trader pay in dividends?

Auto Trader does not currently pay a dividend. This may be because the company reinvests its profits in growth, or because there is not enough profit for dividend payments. You can find more information about the dividend policy on the company's website.

Historical Dividend Payments for Auto Trader

No historical dividend payments are registered for this stock.

Ex-datePayment dateAmountCurrency
No historical dividend payments available.
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When Does Auto Trader Report Earnings – Next Date: Nov 5, 2026

The next earnings report from Auto Trader is scheduled for November 5, 2026, after the market closes. This report covers the third quarter (Q3), which ended on September 30, 2026.



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Technical Analysis of Auto Trader 2026 – Signal: Strong Sell

Overall Technical Signal: Strong Sell

Based on trend analysis (SMA50/SMA200) and MACD trend (positive/negative on a daily + weekly basis). Updated October 7, 2026.

Trend Analysis of Auto Trader Group plc

Auto Trader Group plc is in a short-term downtrend. The price of $5.96 is 5.6% below the 20-day average ($6.31). Medium term, the picture is negative: the price is 7.0% below the 50-day average ($6.41). Long term, the stock is 22.2% below the 200-day average ($7.66), which signals a long-term downtrend.

Death Cross: The 50-day average (6.41) is below the 200-day average (7.66), which is a classic bearish signal for Auto Trader Group plc.

Is Auto Trader Group plc overbought or oversold?

Auto Trader Group plc has an RSI of 11.7, which places the stock in oversold territory (below 30). WARNING: Oversold in a downtrend is NOT a buy signal. When the trend is negative, RSI can stay oversold for a long time while the price keeps falling. Wait for a trend reversal before buying.

MACD Analysis for Auto Trader Group plc

Daily MACD: MACD is negative (-0.133), which means the short-term trend is bearish (the 12-day EMA is below the 26-day EMA). MACD is below the signal line (-0.079) by 0.054, which confirms growing negative momentum in the downtrend.

Weekly MACD: MACD5 is negative (-0.482), which indicates a broader bearish long-term trend. MACD5 is above the signal line (-0.578) by 0.096, which suggests the negative long-term momentum is fading – a bigger trend reversal could be ahead.

Overall MACD assessment: Both the daily and weekly trend are bearish (MACD negative). However, momentum shows signs of improving on a weekly basis – a potential trend reversal could be ahead, but it is not confirmed yet.

Risk Profile for Auto Trader Group plc

Auto Trader Group plc has an annual standard deviation of 51.0%, which classifies the stock as Speculative. Sizeable price swings are normal, and the stock requires a higher risk tolerance.

Overall Technical Conclusion for Auto Trader Group plc

Trend: Negative. The price trades below SMA50 and SMA200.

MACD trend (zero line): Daily bearish (-0.133). Weekly bearish (-0.482).

MACD momentum (signal): Daily falling. Weekly rising.

RSI: 11.7 – oversold.

Technical signal: Strong Sell

The price is in a downtrend (below SMA50/SMA200) and MACD is negative on both a daily and weekly basis. Avoid buying and consider closing existing positions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Trader stock in 2026

Should you buy Auto Trader stock now?
No, the technical signal for Auto Trader is currently Strong Sell. Auto Trader trades at $5.96 as of Oct 7, 2026. The technical analysis shows the following: MACD is negative (bearish trend) at -0.133 with falling momentum (signal: -0.079); RSI is at 11.7 (oversold), which could point to a potential buying opportunity; the stock is in a short-term downtrend (price below the 20-day average). The stock is in a broader downtrend (below SMA50/SMA200). Buying in a downtrend is generally not recommended. This is a technical observation based on current data, not investment advice.
What is the price target for Auto Trader stock?
There is currently no active analyst price target for Auto Trader.
Is Auto Trader a dividend stock?
Yes, Auto Trader is a dividend stock with a dividend yield of 1.95%. The payout ratio is 32.0%, which is considered sustainable.
What is the risk of Auto Trader stock?
Auto Trader is rated as a stock in the risk category Speculative. the annual standard deviation is 51.0%, which classifies the stock as Speculative. In addition, an RSI of 11.7 signals oversold (potential bottom).
Is Auto Trader overvalued?
Auto Trader has the following valuation ratios: a P/E ratio of 13.0 (moderately valued), a P/S ratio of 7.3, a P/B ratio of 9.1.
Is Auto Trader overbought?
No, Auto Trader is actually oversold with an RSI of 11.7 (below 30). The technical indicators show: RSI is at 11.7 (below the 30 mark), which actually signals the price is oversold – the opposite of overbought. In addition, the price is 5.6% below the 20-day average (short-term downtrend). In addition, MACD is negative with falling momentum (bearish). IMPORTANT: The stock is oversold in a downtrend. A low RSI in a downtrend is NOT a buy signal – the price can keep falling. Wait for a trend reversal before buying.
When is the next Auto Trader earnings report?
Auto Trader reports its next earnings on November 5, 2026. The stock currently trades at $5.96. With a P/E ratio of 13.0, the market will be watching closely whether earnings meet expectations. The RSI is at 11.7, so the report can reinforce the current technical trend.
Is Auto Trader shorted?
There is currently no registered short interest for Auto Trader, or the data is not available.
Are insiders buying Auto Trader stock?
There is currently no registered insider trading for Auto Trader.
Is Auto Trader a good stock?
Based on our total score, Auto Trader is rated as a mediocre stock with a total score of 57 out of 100. The stock scores around average on value, quality and momentum – it sits near the median in our database. The score is made up of Value: 58/100, Quality: 97/100, Momentum: 18/100. In addition: a dividend of 1.95%; technical signal: Strong Sell. Whether Auto Trader is a good investment depends on your time horizon, risk profile and portfolio. This is a data-driven observation, not investment advice.
What is the outlook for Auto Trader stock?
The outlook for Auto Trader based on current data: the stock is in a downtrend (below SMA50 and SMA200); the next earnings report is due on Nov 5, 2026, which can move the price; the P/E ratio is 13.0 (low – a possible value stock). Keep in mind that stock prices are affected by many factors, including earnings reports, the economy and market sentiment. Past returns are no guarantee of future returns.
Why is Auto Trader stock falling?
Auto Trader is falling right now. The technical indicators show: the price is 5.6% below the 20-day average; MACD is negative with falling momentum (bearish signal). For the latest context, see our technical analysis and insider section above.
How high can Auto Trader go?
There is currently no active analyst price target for Auto Trader. The stock has traded between $5.80 and $11.18 over the last 52 weeks. The price is 46.7% below the 52-week high, which can indicate potential if the underlying fundamentals are intact. Keep in mind that price targets are estimates, not guarantees. Actual price moves depend on earnings, market conditions and unexpected events.
How low can Auto Trader fall?
The stock has traded as low as $5.80 over the last 52 weeks — that is 2.6% below the current price of $5.96. The biggest decline (drawdown) in the same period was 48.1% from high to low. Within a year, the price typically swings about ±51.0% (standard deviation — a measure of price swings). A difficult year could therefore mean a further decline of that size. Remember: past price swings are no guarantee for the future — a stock can fall further than the last 52 weeks suggest, especially on profit warnings, sector crises or a market crash. Use stop-loss orders and spread your portfolio to limit losses in single stocks.
What does Auto Trader do?
Autotrader Group plc operates an automotive platform in the United Kingdom. The company operates through Autotrader and Autorama segments. It provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan finance products to consumers; and di... The company belongs to the Communication Services sector, more specifically the Internet Content & Information industry, is headquartered in United States, and is traded on the USA Stocks. See the key figures, earnings history and price development above to evaluate Auto Trader as an investment.
Did Auto Trader raise or lower its guidance?
Over the last 60 days we have not registered a guidance raise or cut from Auto Trader. The company can still adjust its guidance at quarterly reports or between reports — see the earnings history above.
Is Auto Trader making money or losing money?
Yes, Auto Trader is making money, not losing it. The company has a profit margin (the share of revenue left over as profit) of 47.1% — which is excellent. The operating margin (profit before interest and taxes) is 62.2%. At a P/E ratio of 13.0, you currently pay 13.0 dollars for every dollar of the company's annual earnings. A consistently profitable company is usually more resilient than growth stocks that are not yet making money.
Can Auto Trader go bankrupt?
The bankruptcy risk of Auto Trader is rated as low. Altman Z2 (a model for assessing financial distress) is 10.76 — that places the company in the healthy zone. The company has a healthy balance sheet with limited debt relative to earnings and assets. The Piotroski score (financial health 0-9, higher is better) is 6 — which is average. Debt relative to equity is 12% (low). Remember: models like Altman Z2 are statistical — unexpected shocks (fraud, a sector collapse, lawsuits) can always happen. Spread your portfolio.
Does Auto Trader have a lot of debt?
No, Auto Trader has low debt relative to equity. The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E — interest-bearing debt to equity) is 12%. For the communication services sector, anything below 80% counts as low debt. Telecom and media companies invest moderately in infrastructure — 80-150% is a typical level. Note: D/E levels are highly sector-specific — a bank at 300% debt is normal, a tech stock at 300% is extremely leveraged. Always compare with similar companies in the same sector.
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