CHICAGO, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F), Fiat SpA (OTC:FIATY), Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM) and Honda Motor Co. (NYSE:HMC).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
U.S. Sees Best August in 5 Years
Light vehicle sales in the U.S. in August improved 19.9% to 1.29 million vehicles, which is the highest monthly figure for any August since 2007. According to Autodata Corp., seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) during the month was 14.52 million vehicles, up 16% from the year-ago level.
The key factors that drove auto sales during the month include easier credit terms and strong pent-up demand. Most of the major automakers posted double-digit rise in sales. Let us take a look at each of them one by one.
U.S. Automakers
General Motors Company GM) sales rose 10.1% to 240,520 vehicles driven by strong demand for cars and trucks. Higher gasoline prices boosted sales of compact cars including the Cruze.
Ford Motor Co. F) sales grew 12.6% to 197,249 vehicles, mainly driven by strong demand for its Escape sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and F-Series pickup truck. Sales of Escape surged 36.8% to 28,188 units while that of F-series jumped 19.3% to 58,201 units.
Chrysler Group LLC – controlled by Italy's Fiat SpA (OTC:FIATY) – saw its best August in five years with sales of 148,472 vehicles, up 14% from the year ago level. The company's truck sales grew 12% while car sales went up 21% during the month.
Japanese Automakers Toyota Motor Corp. TM Honda Motor Co. HMC) sales shot up 59.5% to 131,321 vehicles during the month. The company's strong sales growth can be attributable to impressive sales of Acura (up 73%) and Accord (up 89%).
Outlook
Strong pent-up demand and improving macroeconomic conditions in the U.S. will continue to revive the industry from recessionary lows, partially offset by the backlash from the economic crisis in Europe.
Average age of vehicles on the U.S. road is 10.8 years. The replacement rate is expected to remain solid till 2013. GM anticipates sales in the range of 14 million to 14.5 million vehicles for full year 2012.
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