Posted: 04/03/2025 03:11 am
The compensation details for Asbury's executive team reveal strategic allocations across salary, stock awards, and incentive plans. In 2024, Jed Milstein, the Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, received a total compensation of $2,046,367. This package included a base salary of $621,635, a substantial stock award of $900,094, and incentive plan compensation amounting to $504,688. Notably, Milstein did not receive a bonus, which might indicate a compensation structure focused more on long-term incentives rather than immediate financial rewards. Additionally, other compensation components totaling $19,950 complemented his package with non-monetary benefits and perks.¹
In contrast, the compensation plan for David W. Hult, President & CEO in earlier years, underscored a more substantial reliance on stock awards and incentive plans. In 2022, his total compensation reached $8,582,645, combining a salary of $1,292,308 and an impressive stock award valued at $3,749,834, alongside $3,510,000 from incentive plan compensation. This approach reflects Asbury's strategy to align leadership rewards with shareholder value, a common practice in such high-level positions where company growth and performance are paramount.²
Asbury's executive compensation plans are set against a backdrop of noticeable market activities, including the recent appointment of Daniel E. Clara as the Chief Operating Officer, reflecting a move to strengthen operational leadership. Clara's promotion is a testament to his extensive experience, having served as Senior Vice President of Operations, which aligns with Asbury's commitment to leveraging internal talent for strategic positions.³
Moreover, Asbury’s resilience amid new tariff challenges showcases its strategic positioning. While new auto tariffs might generally raise car prices, Asbury's robust parts and service business is expected to cushion the impact, maintaining overall profitability. This aspect, coupled with strategic acquisitions like Herb Chambers Companies, suggests a proactive approach to market challenges. These acquisitions are expected to fuel growth, although they may also introduce short-term stock performance variability due to increased leverage.⁴
At the stock market level, Asbury’s current share price is $230.79, reflecting a 2.459% increase amid fluctuating highs and lows. While the stock has seen a decline from its year high, analysts remain optimistic due to its strategic market positioning and robust earnings from service segments.⁵
Overall, Asbury Automotive Group’s executive compensation structure, leadership appointments, and market strategies illustrate a company poised for sustainable growth, balancing internal talent development with strategic external acquisitions to fortify its market position.
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1. Jed Milstein's 2024 compensation data can be found in the 2025 SEC filing repository.²
2. David W. Hult's 2022 compensation details are accessible via the 2023 SEC filings, demonstrating variance in structural differences per executive planning.¹
3. Asbury Automotive's leadership change with Daniel Clara’s promotion is outlined in recent press releases available on Business Wire.³
4. Analyst insights on Asbury's market strategy, tariffs, and acquisition impact are discussed extensively on Seeking Alpha and Zacks.com.⁴
5. Updated stock market data for Asbury can be retrieved from financial analytics platforms such as NYSE data streams.⁵
