AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $173.00.

AN has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $185.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $117.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on AutoNation from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Bank of America lowered their target price on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, Guggenheim increased their target price on AutoNation from $165.00 to $169.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 17th.

AutoNation Trading Up 5.8 %

Shares of NYSE:AN opened at $169.70 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $7.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.49, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.23. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $123.81 and a 1 year high of $182.08. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $153.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $144.64.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The company reported $4.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.49. The firm had revenue of $6.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.49 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 48.76% and a net margin of 3.79%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.05 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that AutoNation will post 18.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 10,804 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.56, for a total transaction of $1,669,866.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 4,267,860 shares in the company, valued at $659,640,441.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Jacqueline A. Travisano sold 3,671 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.98, for a total transaction of $539,563.58. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,182 shares in the company, valued at $908,630.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 10,804 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.56, for a total value of $1,669,866.24. Following the sale, the insider now owns 4,267,860 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $659,640,441.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 121,279 shares of company stock valued at $19,361,962 over the last quarter. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in AutoNation by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 44,695 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,767,000 after buying an additional 1,983 shares in the last quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP purchased a new position in AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $919,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its holdings in AutoNation by 69.6% during the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 11,569 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,752,000 after buying an additional 4,748 shares in the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new position in AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,525,000. Finally, Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new position in AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,329,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

About AutoNation

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.