AutoNation, Inc.AN
NYSE•Consumer Cyclical•Auto & Truck Dealerships
Understand cash generation quality and how management allocates capital.
Free cash flow was $-34.20M in the latest quarter (73.2% increase YoY). FCF margin is -0.1%. Shares outstanding declined by 11.0% year-over-year, indicating buybacks (returning capital to shareholders). Free cash flow is the lifeblood of a business — it funds dividends, buybacks, debt reduction, and reinvestment without relying on external capital.
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation