Citigroup Inc. Trims Stock Holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Citigroup Inc. lessened its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 144,098 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,492 shares during the quarter. Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $25,782,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AN. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,605,708 shares of the company’s stock worth $255,910,000 after purchasing an additional 41,712 shares during the period. Boston Partners acquired a new position in AutoNation during the first quarter worth $170,270,000. LSV Asset Management lifted its stake in AutoNation by 0.6% during the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 781,825 shares of the company’s stock worth $124,607,000 after purchasing an additional 4,350 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 6.3% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,413,000 after buying an additional 19,015 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $15,832,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on AN. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target 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. Stephens began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America cut 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. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoNation has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $199.29.

AutoNation Stock Up 4.1 %

AN stock opened at $179.57 on Tuesday. AutoNation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $130.35 and a fifty-two week high of $197.18. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $167.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $168.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.36, a PEG ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 1.21.

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.