AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $199.29 Average PT from Analysts

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $199.29.

A number of research firms have commented on AN. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Bank of America decreased their price target 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE:AN opened at $172.85 on Thursday. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $133.13 and a 1-year high of $197.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.97, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.26. The company’s 50-day moving average is $170.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $169.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.20.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its position in AutoNation by 142.2% in the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 73,429 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,138,000 after acquiring an additional 43,113 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 48.3% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,148 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,370,000 after purchasing an additional 6,558 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $242,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 21,743 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,750,000 after buying an additional 528 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company’s stock worth $172,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.