MetaCap

AutoNation (AN) vs OPENLANE (OPLN)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.

Summary

OPENLANE (OPLN) has outperformed AutoNation (AN) over the past year, gaining 37.0% versus a loss of 27.9%. Over five years, OPLN leads with a +127.1% price change compared with +34.8% for AN. AutoNation is the larger company by market cap ($5.20 billion vs $4.48 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while OPENLANE is growing revenue faster (+8.2% vs +3.2%).

On valuation, AutoNation trades at a lower forward P/E (6.6x vs 21.1x for OPENLANE). OPENLANE converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.2% versus 2.3%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AN-27.88%OPLN+37.03%
+65%+16%-33%
Oct 9, 20251 yearOct 9, 2026
AN+33.24%OPLN+129.75%
+186%+74%-38%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AN versus OPLN key metrics
MetricANOPLN
Share price$157.38$36.71
Market cap$5.20B$4.48B
1-day change+0.20%+2.89%
YTD return-23.78%+23.27%
1-year return-27.88%+37.03%
5-year return+34.85%+127.12%
P/E ratio (TTM)7.29—
Forward P/E6.5721.11
EPS (TTM)$21.59$-0.85
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$27.63B$1.93B
Revenue growth (YoY)+3.24%+8.16%
Net income (latest FY)$649.10M$177.70M
Gross margin17.91%46.15%
Operating margin4.49%10.16%
Net margin2.35%9.19%
52-week high$235.81$42.90
52-week low$152.86$24.32
Distance from 52-week high-33.26%-14.43%
Analyst consensusbuybuy
Avg. price target upside+44.08%+25.91%
Average volume506.47K1.20M
Shares outstanding33.06M122.07M
Employees24,8004,032
SectorConsumer CyclicalConsumer Cyclical
IndustryAuto & Truck DealershipsAuto & Truck Dealerships

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • OPLN has outperformed AN by 64.9 percentage points over the past year.
  • OPENLANE is more profitable, keeping 9.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.3 cents for AutoNation.

About AutoNation

AN stock →

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, and AutoNation Finance.

Consumer Cyclical · Auto & Truck Dealerships · 24,800 employees

About OPENLANE

OPLN stock →

OPENLANE, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a digital marketplace for wholesale used vehicles in the United States, Canada, Continental Europe, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, Marketplace and Finance.

Consumer Cyclical · Auto & Truck Dealerships · 4,032 employees

AN vs OPLN FAQ

Which is bigger, AutoNation or OPENLANE?

AutoNation (AN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.20B compared with $4.48B for OPENLANE (OPLN).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AN or OPLN?

OPLN returned +37.03% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.88% for AN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Are AutoNation and OPENLANE in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Auto & Truck Dealerships industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector.

More comparisons