Shares in vehicle dealer Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) have had a stellar run over the past year, almost tripling as the company has launched ambitious plans to extend its operations overseas.
The stock is currently trading at $30.50, with shareholders who participated in a recent capital raise at just $21 per share already sitting on solid gains.
The capital raise, which brought in just over half a billion dollars, was carried out to help Eagers pay for a 65% controlling stake in CanadaOne Auto Group, which the company is acquiring for $1.04 billion.
The question is, with the company's shares running so hot, do they still represent good value at current levels?
Image source: Rivian Automotive
Still value to be had
The team at RBC Capital Markets has just released a research note on the company for the first time, with a rating of sector perform.
They do believe the stock has a bit further to run, with a price target of $32. Keep in mind the company also has a 2.4% dividend yield at current levels.
The RBC team said there were a number of reasons for their confidence in Eagers, not least being the improvement in domestic conditions for new vehicle sales.
Australia's macro backdrop is turning increasingly favourable for auto demand, with rising house prices, improving household finances, resilient labour conditions, and anticipated rate cuts. These macro tailwinds should sustain positive momentum in vehicle turnover and reinforce an ongoing recovery in automotive demand as consumer confidence rises and borrowing capacity increases through 2026.
RBC says Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, which Eagers sells in Australia, "continues to outperform expectations providing Eagers with a structural tailwind as EV adoption accelerates''.
And the used vehicle market is also benefiting from higher clearance rates, "with our feedback from dealers suggesting it will be a key driver for gross profit into FY26, where new vehicles may be more challenging''.
Canadian deal looks good
The RBC analysts also look favourably on the Canadian deal, saying the market there is "structurally attractive'', and the company being bought into is among the top five dealer groups in the nation.
RBC says its $32 price target is backed by the fact that the company has traded well when times are good, but at current levels, the stock is reasonably fully priced.
Historically, the stock has traded at a premium during expansionary phases, favourable trading conditions and scope for further inorganic growth. While these drivers remain intact, we think the current valuation already captures much of this optimism.
