AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $250.00 Average PT from Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $246.50.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $248.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday, August 3rd.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In other AutoNation news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the second quarter worth approximately $256,000. Tidal Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 24.6% during the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,230 shares of the company’s stock worth $600,000 after acquiring an additional 638 shares in the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 56.0% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 39,379 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,316,000 after acquiring an additional 14,134 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 72.8% in the 2nd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 3,638 shares of the company’s stock worth $676,000 after acquiring an additional 1,533 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 5,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,500 shares of the company’s stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 1,475 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN opened at $168.78 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.58 billion, a PE ratio of 7.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $204.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $197.20. AutoNation has a 12-month low of $165.14 and a 12-month high of $235.81.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.AutoNation’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AutoNation will post 21.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About AutoNation

AutoNation, Inc is a leading automotive retailer in the United States. The company sells new and used vehicles through a network of franchised dealerships and provides automotive services including vehicle financing, insurance products, maintenance, repair, parts, and collision-repair services.

In addition to its manufacturer-branded dealerships, AutoNation operates AutoNation USA locations focused primarily on used vehicles and offers digital tools that allow customers to research, purchase, finance, and service vehicles online.