AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:ANGet Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $246.30.

Several research firms recently issued reports on AN. Barclays raised their target price on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $234.00 price target for the company. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $269.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $208.00 to $202.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 6th.

Get Our Latest Analysis on AN

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Kimberly Dees sold 2,500 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.91, for a total value of $512,275.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 1,456 shares in the company, valued at approximately $298,348.96. This trade represents a 63.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 9,494 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,960,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,668 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,170,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in AutoNation by 0.9% during the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 6,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,376,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Redwood Investment Management LLC lifted its position in AutoNation by 1.1% during the first quarter. Redwood Investment Management LLC now owns 5,372 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,049,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in AutoNation by 13.3% during the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 519 shares of the company’s stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE AN opened at $195.67 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $191.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $198.72. AutoNation has a twelve month low of $176.62 and a twelve month high of $228.92. The company has a market capitalization of $6.55 billion, a PE ratio of 10.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62.

AutoNation (NYSE:ANGet Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The company reported $4.69 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.71 by ($0.02). AutoNation had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The business had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $4.68 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that AutoNation will post 21.35 earnings per share for the current year.

AutoNation Company Profile

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AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.

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