AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $204.71 Average Price Target from Analysts

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $204.71.

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. 111 Capital purchased a new position in AutoNation during the 4th quarter worth approximately $235,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,291,000. Peak Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at $952,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in AutoNation by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 23,002 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,907,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 88,954 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,108,000 after purchasing an additional 4,210 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AN opened at $165.86 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. AutoNation has a fifty-two week low of $150.08 and a fifty-two week high of $198.50. The company has a market cap of $6.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.79, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $181.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $173.60.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoNation will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.