AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the seven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $204.71.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AN shares. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th.

AutoNation Price Performance

NYSE AN opened at $167.02 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $180.94 and its 200 day moving average is $173.53. AutoNation has a fifty-two week low of $150.08 and a fifty-two week high of $198.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74. The company has a market capitalization of $6.56 billion, a PE ratio of 9.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. Sell-side analysts predict that AutoNation will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AN. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 581.8% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 150.8% during the fourth quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 25.5% in the fourth quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 315 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 77.1% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock worth $84,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the period. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 16.4% during the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company’s stock worth $172,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the period. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.