Short Interest in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Decreases By 13.2%

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,980,000 shares, a decrease of 13.2% from the November 15th total of 2,280,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 486,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days. Approximately 7.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

AutoNation Trading Down 0.1 %

AN opened at $172.48 on Tuesday. 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 has a 52 week low of $133.13 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The business’s 50 day moving average is $168.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $169.47. The firm has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.24.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Stephens began coverage on AutoNation in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their price target 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. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $199.29.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position 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 purchasing an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 54.0% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 498.5% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 212.2% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 743 shares of the company’s stock valued at $118,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.