Analysts Set AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Target Price at $199.29

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $199.29.

A number of research firms have issued reports on AN. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens started coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Guggenheim decreased their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AN stock opened at $169.36 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $170.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $169.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.77, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $133.13 and a 1 year high of $197.18.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Simcoe Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter worth $20,046,000. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the second quarter valued at $15,832,000. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 739.9% in the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 109,040 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,509,000 after purchasing an additional 96,058 shares during the period. Finally, Lodge Hill Capital LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 2nd quarter worth about $15,141,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.