Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC Boosts Holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 15.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,296 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 173 shares during the quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $220,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AN. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 581.8% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. raised its stake in AutoNation by 150.8% during the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 77.1% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock worth $84,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. 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 valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth approximately $197,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AN. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com lowered AutoNation from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on AutoNation from $195.00 to $175.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Stephens boosted their price target on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoNation presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $201.86.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $166.76 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $148.33 and a 12 month high of $198.50. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $174.68 and a 200 day moving average of $173.15. The firm has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.15.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. On average, research analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation 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.