Victory Capital Management Inc. Acquires 368 Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 3.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,323 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 368 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $2,026,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 90.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 403.6% during the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its stake in AutoNation by 498.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in AutoNation during the 2nd quarter worth $103,000. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on AN shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley upgraded AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of AutoNation in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price for the company. Finally, Guggenheim cut their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $199.29.

AutoNation Stock Up 1.4 %

AN stock opened at $172.46 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $167.39 and a 200 day moving average of $168.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.84 billion, a PE ratio of 9.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 1.21. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $130.35 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

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.