Is Group 1 Automotive's 12% ROE Sustainably Attractive Amid High Debt and Unusual Expenses?

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE: GPI) reported a return on equity (ROE) of 12.3% in Q3 2025, a figure that appears modest compared to its 2024 annual ROE of 16.85% according to Macrotrends. However, this metric must be scrutinized through the lens of the company's escalating debt, non-recurring impairment charges, and rising operating expenses. While ROE remains a critical gauge of profitability relative to shareholder equity, its sustainability hinges on whether these factors are transient or structural.

The Debt Burden: A Double-Edged Sword

Group 1 Automotive's total debt surged to $5.23 billion as of December 31, 2024, a 34.48% increase from 2023. This aggressive leverage has amplified returns in the past but now raises concerns about long-term sustainability. The company's interest coverage ratio-a measure of its ability to meet interest obligations-dropped to 3.9x in 2024, a 36.5% decline from the prior year. With interest rates remaining elevated, refinancing risks and debt servicing costs could weigh heavily on future earnings.

Moreover, the debt-to-equity ratio, though not explicitly stated, can be inferred from the $5.23 billion debt and $2.97 billion shareholders' equity (as of December 31, 2024). This implies a leverage ratio of approximately 1.76, which is high for a company in a cyclical industry like automotive retail. High leverage can magnify returns during growth periods but also exacerbate losses during downturns.

Impairment Charges: A One-Time Hit or a Recurring Risk?

In Q3 2025, Group 1 Automotive recorded a $123.9 million non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill, franchise rights, and fixed assets in its U.K. reporting unit. This charge, while non-recurring in nature, significantly depressed net income from continuing operations to $13.1 million, down from $117.1 million in the prior-year quarter. The company attributes these impairments to inflation, elevated interest rates, and margin compression in the automotive retail sector according to PR Newswire.

While management frames the charge as part of a restructuring effort to stabilize the U.K. operations, the underlying factors-such as inflation and interest rates-remain unresolved. If these macroeconomic pressures persist, similar charges could recur, eroding ROE further. Investors must assess whether the U.K. restructuring will yield long-term efficiency gains or merely delay inevitable write-downs.

Operating Expenses: A Growing Drag on Profitability

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses in Q3 2025 reached 71.2% of gross profit, an 183-basis-point increase compared to the prior-year quarter. This rise in overhead costs, coupled with the U.K. impairment charge, contributed to the Q3 2025 adjusted EPS miss of $10.45 versus the expected $10.83. High SG&A expenses relative to gross profit suggest operational inefficiencies or competitive pressures, both of which could persist in a low-margin industry like automotive retail.

Historical Context: A Declining Trend in ROE Quality

Group 1 Automotive's ROE has been on a downward trajectory. In 2024, it averaged 16.85%, down from 22.49% in 2023. This decline reflects broader challenges, including rising debt costs and margin compression. The 12.3% ROE in Q3 2025, while better than the 2024 annual average, still lags behind the company's 10-year historical ROE of 19.61% according to Macrotrends. The sustainability of this metric depends on the company's ability to reduce leverage, control expenses, and stabilize its U.K. operations.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Outlook

Group 1 Automotive's 12.3% ROE in Q3 2025 appears modestly attractive on the surface but is clouded by structural risks. The company's high debt levels, declining interest coverage, and rising SG&A expenses suggest that ROE may not be sustainably attractive without meaningful operational and financial restructuring. While the U.K. impairment charge is non-recurring, the macroeconomic headwinds driving it-such as inflation and interest rates-remain unresolved. Investors should monitor the company's progress in deleveraging its balance sheet and improving operational efficiency before viewing its ROE as a reliable indicator of long-term value creation.