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Halfords Group PLC (GB:HFD)
LSE:HFD

Halfords (HFD) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:HFD

Halfords

(LSE:HFD)

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Neutral 67 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
161.00p
▲(13.22% Upside)
Halfords' overall stock score reflects stable financial performance with profitability challenges, positive technical momentum, and strategic growth initiatives. The attractive dividend yield provides some valuation support, but the negative P/E ratio is a concern. Strategic initiatives and market presence offer growth potential, though margin management and integration issues remain hurdles.
Positive Factors
Debt-Free Balance Sheet
A debt-free balance sheet enhances financial stability, providing flexibility for strategic investments and resilience against economic downturns.
Market Position
Strong market presence with extensive retail and service locations supports customer reach and competitive advantage in the automotive and cycling sectors.
Service Revenue Growth
Shift towards services indicates a strategic focus on higher-margin revenue streams, enhancing long-term profitability and business sustainability.
Negative Factors
Margin Improvement Challenges
Inability to improve margins despite strategic shifts could hinder profitability and limit reinvestment capacity, affecting long-term growth prospects.
Integration Issues with Acquisitions
Poor integration of acquisitions adds operational complexity and prevents realization of synergies, impacting efficiency and financial performance.
Underutilization of Data
Failure to leverage data analytics limits strategic decision-making and personalization, potentially reducing competitive edge and customer engagement.

Halfords (HFD) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Halfords Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHalfords Group plc, through its subsidiaries, provides motoring and cycling products and services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its Retail segment is involved in the retail of automotive, cars, leisure, cycling products, scooters, and parts, as well as clothing and accessories through its stores. The company's Car Servicing segment provides car servicing and repair services from Autocentres and mobile vans. As of June 23, 2021, it operated 404 Halfords stores, 3 Performance Cycling stores, 374 garages, and 143 mobile service vans, as well as 192 commercial vans. The company also sells its products to customers through halfords.com and tredz.co.uk for pick up at their local stores or direct home delivery, as well as provides garage-booking services online at halfords.com. Halfords Group plc was founded in 1892 and is based in Redditch, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyHalfords generates revenue primarily through the sale of products and services across its Retail and Autocentres segments. Key revenue streams include the sale of automotive parts and accessories, bicycles, and related products in its retail stores and online. The Autocentres division earns revenue from vehicle servicing, repairs, and MOTs, which are essential for vehicle maintenance and compliance. Additionally, Halfords benefits from partnerships with various automotive manufacturers and suppliers, enhancing its product offerings and availability. The company's online presence, including e-commerce sales, also contributes significantly to its revenue, especially in the context of changing consumer shopping behaviors.

Halfords Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 27, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jun 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a company with strong market presence and potential for growth, particularly in its Cycling and Motoring Club segments. However, challenges such as weak tire market performance, integration issues from past acquisitions, and the need for better margin management are significant hurdles. The focus on optimizing existing operations and leveraging digital and service offerings presents a balanced outlook for the future.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Interim Results
Halfords announced strong interim results for the 26 weeks to September 26, with significant contributions from various divisions.
Debt-Free Balance Sheet
The company maintains a debt-free balance sheet with strong cash flow generation, enhancing financial stability and investment capability.
Scale and Market Position
Halfords has a significant market presence with 370 stores, 500 garages, and a large consumer base, serving over 20 million customers annually.
Growth in Cycling Segment
The Cycling market segment has seen good growth, contributing significantly to the company's overall performance.
Motoring Club Success
Halfords Motoring Club built a loyalty base of 6 million customers, generating GBP 20 million in annual recurring revenue.
Digital and Physical Integration
80% of digital orders are click and collect, showcasing strong integration between online and physical store channels.
Focus on Service Expansion
The shift towards services has led to higher-margin revenue, with service-related income now over half of total revenue.
Negative Updates
Weak Tire Market
The tire market has struggled over the past two years, impacting the company's performance in this segment.
Margin Improvement Challenges
Despite a shift to services, the company has not yet delivered the expected uplift in margins, particularly in the Garages business.
Integration Issues with Acquisitions
Past acquisitions have not been integrated effectively, failing to drive expected returns and adding complexity to operations.
Category Management Shortcomings
Current category management practices are not effectively driving sales and margin, needing a strategic overhaul.
Lack of Full Synergy Utilization
The customer journey between group assets is not smooth, and the full potential of combining assets has not been realized.
Inflationary Pressures
GBP 90 million in cost savings have not fully mitigated over GBP 98 million of cost inflation over the past three years.
Underutilization of Data
The company has not yet fully utilized its rich data set for real-time decisioning, personalization, or predictive analytics.
Company Guidance
During the recent call, Halfords' CEO Henry Birch outlined the company's strategic vision, emphasizing optimized use of existing assets and services to drive growth and shareholder value. The company operates 370 retail stores and 500 garages across the UK and Ireland, supplemented by a fleet of 800 vans and over 12,000 trained colleagues. Halfords' annual sales are approximately GBP 1 billion, with one-third derived from B2B services. The company's strategic focus includes enhancing category management, expanding digital and service offerings, and leveraging its robust data platform for predictive analytics. The Halfords Motoring Club, a loyalty program with over 6 million members, serves as a key component in driving customer engagement. Financially, Halfords aims for like-for-like sales growth, margin expansion, and improved return on capital. Investments in technology and supply chain efficiency are planned, with capital expenditures maintained at GBP 55 million to GBP 65 million annually. The company's debt-free balance sheet supports these initiatives, while future growth is targeted through potential acquisitions and digital expansion.

Halfords Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Halfords demonstrates stable revenue and gross profit margins, but faces profitability challenges with negative net income and EBIT margins. The balance sheet shows improved leverage, yet the negative return on equity is concerning. Cash flow management needs attention due to declining free cash flow. Overall, the company must focus on enhancing profitability and cash flow efficiency to strengthen its financial position.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Halfords shows a stable gross profit margin around 50%, indicating efficient cost management. However, recent negative net profit and EBIT margins highlight profitability challenges. Revenue growth is modest, suggesting limited expansion. The company needs to address its declining profitability to improve its financial health.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio has improved over time, indicating better leverage management. However, the recent negative return on equity suggests inefficiencies in generating returns from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio remains stable, reflecting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Operating cash flow remains strong, but free cash flow has decreased recently, indicating potential cash management issues. The free cash flow to net income ratio is healthy, but the decline in free cash flow growth suggests the need for better cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.72B1.70B1.72B1.59B1.38B1.29B
Gross Profit852.90M822.60M869.10M757.20M701.10M635.30M
EBITDA75.60M177.20M111.00M174.60M213.90M183.00M
Net Income-33.60M16.90M-33.60M28.10M77.70M53.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.18B1.28B1.18B1.36B1.29B1.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments19.10M13.30M19.10M41.90M46.30M67.20M
Total Debt280.40M328.60M280.40M390.60M391.20M344.50M
Total Liabilities675.10M725.70M675.10M796.40M739.20M655.60M
Stockholders Equity500.10M553.80M500.10M562.80M551.00M417.80M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow160.60M121.80M141.50M97.90M71.60M239.10M
Operating Cash Flow192.50M167.40M194.70M152.30M118.90M266.60M
Investing Cash Flow-57.20M-46.50M-57.20M-87.00M-98.30M-39.00M
Financing Cash Flow-129.50M-139.80M-131.70M-79.20M-41.50M-275.90M

Halfords Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price142.20
Price Trends
50DMA
140.09
Positive
100DMA
138.00
Positive
200DMA
138.27
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.43
Negative
RSI
54.40
Neutral
STOCH
53.59
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:HFD, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 142.2 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 138.52, above the 50-day MA of 140.09, and above the 200-day MA of 138.27, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.43 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.40 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 53.59 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GB:HFD.

Halfords Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
£939.87M11.047.90%6.40%-1.35%-12.67%
71
Outperform
£1.39B13.215.01%1.15%2.71%-34.19%
67
Neutral
£314.18M-9.35-6.44%5.92%3.31%-340.97%
63
Neutral
£577.26M55.747.52%13.21%-54.35%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
56
Neutral
£668.98M-70.371.40%3.94%
55
Neutral
£812.13M126.364.18%4.46%-89.55%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:HFD
Halfords
142.20
8.85
6.64%
GB:PETS
Pets at Home
203.00
-9.99
-4.69%
GB:SMWH
WH Smith
667.50
-505.20
-43.08%
GB:AO
AO World
108.00
0.40
0.37%
GB:CURY
Currys plc
130.00
37.06
39.88%
GB:MOON
Moonpig Group Plc
200.00
-19.52
-8.89%

Halfords Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Halfords Group PLC Announces Share Grants to Key Executives
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

Halfords Group PLC announced the grant of shares under its Performance Share Plan and Restricted Share Plan to several key executives, including the CEO, CFO, and other senior management. This move is part of the company’s strategy to align management incentives with shareholder interests and enhance long-term value creation. The transactions were conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparent and regulated market practices.

Other
Halfords CEO Invests in Company Shares
Positive
Nov 28, 2025

Halfords Group PLC has announced a share purchase by its CEO, Henry Birch, who acquired 71,500 ordinary shares at a price of £1.39825 each. This transaction, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflects a significant investment by the company’s leadership, potentially signaling confidence in the company’s future performance and stability.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Halfords Reports Strong First Half of 2025 with Robust Cycling Sales
Positive
Nov 27, 2025

Halfords Group plc reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2025, with group revenue increasing by 4.1% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a significant 9% rise in cycling sales. The company achieved a gross margin expansion to 51.4% and maintained a stable interim dividend. Strategic initiatives like the rollout of Fusion garages and the growth of the Halfords Motoring Club contributed to operational progress. Despite inflationary pressures, Halfords generated substantial free cash flow, strengthening its balance sheet, and remains confident in meeting its full-year expectations.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Halfords to Announce Interim Results and Host Strategy Update
Positive
Nov 14, 2025

Halfords Group plc announced that it will release its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 26 September 2025 on 27 November 2025. The results will be presented in a pre-recorded video available online, and an in-person strategy update will be held for analysts and investors. A live Retail Investor Strategy Update will also be conducted on the Engage Investor platform, encouraging current and prospective investors to participate and submit questions. This announcement signifies Halfords’ commitment to transparency and engagement with its stakeholders, potentially impacting its market position and investor relations positively.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Halfords Group Reports Positive Sales Growth and Margin Expansion in H1 FY26
Positive
Oct 22, 2025

Halfords Group plc reported a positive trading update for the first half of FY26, with like-for-like sales growth of 4.1% and gross margin expansion year-on-year. The company has strengthened its balance sheet through strong cash generation and disciplined stock management, maintaining its full-year outlook. The interim results, scheduled for release on 27 November, will include a detailed update on the Group’s strategy.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Halfords Group PLC Announces Total Voting Rights Update
Neutral
Sep 30, 2025

Halfords Group PLC announced that its registered share capital consists of 218,928,736 ordinary shares, each with equal voting rights. This disclosure is significant for shareholders as it provides the necessary information for compliance with the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, ensuring transparency and regulatory adherence.

Executive/Board ChangesDividends
Halfords Executives Increase Shareholdings Through Dividend Reinvestment
Positive
Sep 26, 2025

Halfords Group PLC announced the purchase of shares by several key executives, including the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Customer Officer, and others, following dividend reinvestment plans. These transactions, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to aligning executive interests with shareholder value, potentially impacting its market perception and stakeholder confidence.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025