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

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

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AN. Wells Fargo & Company cut 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. Bank of America cut their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley raised 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 report on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens assumed coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,786,144 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.06, for a total transaction of $91,030.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,825,338 shares in the company, valued at $696,441,036.28. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoNation

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Garner Asset Management Corp increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 3.9% during the third quarter. Garner Asset Management Corp now owns 18,958 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,392,000 after acquiring an additional 716 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 10.7% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,629 shares of the company’s stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 3,346 shares of the company’s stock valued at $599,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,413,000 after purchasing an additional 19,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Factorial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 6.3% in the third quarter. Factorial Partners LLC now owns 3,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $608,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Trading Down 1.8 %

AN opened at $165.01 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.52, a PEG ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The company’s 50 day moving average is $166.79 and its 200-day moving average is $168.28. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $129.32 and a 1-year high of $197.18.

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.