DETROIT -- A top General Motors sales analyst says the automaker is likely to post its first year-over-year monthly sales gain in October, according to The Associated Press.

Mike DiGiovanni says GM also should see its market share increase for the third straight month despite shedding the Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer brands.

Automakers release sales results next Tuesday.

DiGiovanni says the U.S. auto market is not out of trouble yet but is showing signs of recovery.

The company's last year-over-year monthly increase was in January of 2008.