AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Reaches New 52-Week Low – Here’s What Happened

Posted by Francis Steltz on Sep 20th, 2026

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $172.58 and last traded at $174.8430, with a volume of 2027156 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $195.37.

Key Stories Impacting AutoNation

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoNation this week:

Positive Sentiment: Several analysts’ price targets remain materially above the current trading level, with a reported median target of $244.50. Institutional activity was mixed, but some large funds—including AQR Capital Management, D. E. Shaw and Sixth Street Partners—added shares during the second quarter. AutoNation Stock Forecast and Price Target
Neutral Sentiment: AutoNation continues to benefit from comparatively stronger after-sales and finance operations, but recent operating data showed retail used-vehicle sales down 8.0% year over year and total retail unit sales down 6.4%, indicating uneven demand across the business. AutoNation Morgan Stanley Conference Transcript
Negative Sentiment: Management expects third-quarter gross profit per vehicle to decline approximately 10% sequentially, partly because of model-year changeovers. Investors interpreted the forecast as a warning of near-term earnings and margin pressure. AutoNation Cautious Conference Commentary
Negative Sentiment: Service growth has softened, new-vehicle margins are expected to weaken and consumer affordability remains a headwind. These factors could limit revenue growth and profitability in the near term. AutoNation Service Growth and Affordability
Negative Sentiment: Demand for electric vehicles has weakened following the expiration of federal incentives, adding pressure to the outlook. Recent insider activity also showed sales rather than purchases, though those transactions are a secondary factor compared with the operating warning. AutoNation Warning Ahead of Third-Quarter Earnings

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 price objective on shares of AutoNation in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $248.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $250.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on AutoNation

AutoNation Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.80, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.72. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $204.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is $197.36.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 31.24%. AutoNation’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.26 EPS. On average, analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at AutoNation

In other news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,757,580. This trade represents a 10.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in AutoNation by 73.9% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 33.0% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Monetary Solutions Ltd bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $63,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 400 shares of the company’s stock worth $83,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the period. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AutoNation, Inc is a leading automotive retailer in the United States. The company sells new and used vehicles through a network of franchised dealerships and provides automotive services including vehicle financing, insurance products, maintenance, repair, parts, and collision-repair services.

In addition to its manufacturer-branded dealerships, AutoNation operates AutoNation USA locations focused primarily on used vehicles and offers digital tools that allow customers to research, purchase, finance, and service vehicles online.