AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $199.00 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $199.00.

Several analysts have weighed in on AN shares. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Stephens began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total transaction of $7,189,355.42. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. This represents a 1.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 90.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in AutoNation by 403.6% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the 1st quarter valued at $57,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its holdings in AutoNation by 498.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of AN stock opened at $164.80 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $129.32 and a 1 year high of $197.18. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $166.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $168.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.50, a PEG ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 1.21.

AutoNation Company Profile

AutoNation, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and parts and services, such as automotive repair and maintenance, and wholesale parts and collision services.