A Look Inside The Year Ahead - Research Report ON Group 1 Automotive, Inc., Penske Automotive Group, Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Con-Way Inc. and Microsoft Corporation

NEW YORK, February 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, National Traders Association announced new research reports highlighting Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT), Con-Way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Research Report

As steady economic growth, increased demand, and new product offerings give life to the US automotive industry, sales of light vehicles are expected to explode soon. In fact, demand is so high that US automakers are complaining of the lack of production, something not seen anywhere else in the world. A report from WardsAuto says that some executives wish they could build more cars faster for Americans, while the car market in Asia and Europe struggling. Group 1 Automotive has been upgraded to "buy" by KeyBanc, with a price target of $77 on its stock. Zacks gave the company an "outperform" rating, though with a more conservative price target of $67.50. The company is fresh from an agreement to acquire Brazilian car dealer UAB Motors for $146 million in cash and stock in an attempt to break into the Latin American country's fast growing market. While it will assume about $62 million worth of UAB debt, the deal would be slightly accretive, adding 3 to 5 cents per share to its 2013 earnings. Group 1 will also be receiving 18 dealerships - two Toyota, four Nissan, two BMW, two MINI, three Renault, three Peugeot, one Land Rover, and one Jaguar - that is expected to rake in annual revenue of about $650 million. The deal will be finalized on February 28 this year. The Full Research Report on Group 1 Automotive, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/2969_GPI]

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PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. Research Report

Penske Automotive was given a "buy" rating by KeyBanc Capital Markets with a stock price target of $36 after beating expectations in its latest earnings report. It posted earnings per share of $0.60 and revenues of $3.4 billion, higher than the predicted $0.57 and $3.27 billion, respectively. KeyBanc adds that the automotive retail space going into Q4 of fiscal year 2012 indicates flat to increasing gross profit per unit across all segments in a growing revenue environment, and a stable gross profit margin despite revenue headwinds. Free cash flow generation is expected to stay strong and will be channeled to shareholder-friendly actions, like acquisitions, share repurchases, or even dividends. The Full Research Report on Penske Automotive Group, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/50dd_PAG]

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. Research Report

Despite a challenging quarter for the trucking industry, top trucking company J.B. Transport Services, Inc. that its fourth quarter income soared 16%. J.B. Hunt's net income rose to $84 million or 70 cents per share. Total revenue for 2013 is $5.1 billion, up 12%. This increase is largely due to the company's improvements in its intermodal division, a segment involved in the movement of freight containers using several modes of transportation. With these reports, many are predicting that the trucking industry is slowly showing signs of improvement going into 2013. While many factors are out of the industry's control, such as the global economy and the harsh weather conditions, the industry can always look for ways in which they can continue earning revenue. At present, trucking companies are using intermodal solutions in order to save costs. J.B. Hunt have invested In this solution and it has allowed their business to thrive despite unstable fuel prices and slow growth in the economy. The outstanding performance of J.B. Hunt's intermodal division last quarter shows the benefits of this solution. This will improve efficiency and cut costs, allowing the trucking industry to continue beating the odds.. The Full Research Report on J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/f633_JBHT]

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CON-WAY INC. Research Report

Con-Way Inc. also jumped 6.04% after its board declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share on the company's common stock. Con-Way Inc. is scheduled to release its financial results for the 2012 fourth quarter and full year on February 6. Good results are expected from Con-Way after it declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share on the company's common stock. The trucking industry is facing familiar problems with the shortage of truck drivers, stricter federal regulations and increased fuel prices. These problems increase operation costs and cut profits for trucking companies. Furthermore, the Bureau of Economic Analysis suggests that the trucking industry is growing at a slow pace because of the state of the country's economy and the slowdown of global manufactory. In the coming year, investing in intermodals is a good way for trucking companies to deliver more consistent results. Intermodal traffic is expected to grow and have a strong performance for the rest of the year based on continuous demand in converting truckloads from highway to intermodal rail. The Full Research Con-Way Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/2101_CNW]

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MICROSOFT CORPORATION Research Report

Since Microsoft released its Windows 8 operating system last year, the sales which reached 60 million was not enough to convince investors that it is going to bring the company back to its unchallenged position. Although Microsoft had beaten expectations, the 24% sales increase equating to $5.9 billion is considered a lackluster performance after its biggest component, Office, felt a 10% decline to $5.7 billion. The company already has an impressive portfolio to help boost its sales, but there's always weakness where there is need for plan B.  Although there may be a huge need for Microsoft to ramp up its mobile and tablet portfolio. While the tablet competition seems easier to penetrate, Microsoft needs to attract both new and existing markets. Microsoft already has the "weapons" for the marketing warfare. All it needs to focus on is strategy. The Full Research Report on Microsoft Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/eb0c_MSFT]

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