Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Grows Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 80.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,477 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,002 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio owned 0.06% of AutoNation worth $4,022,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 403.6% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 54.0% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 498.5% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 212.2% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 743 shares of the company’s stock worth $118,000 after buying an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AN opened at $172.70 on Monday. 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, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $133.13 and a fifty-two week high of $197.18. The stock has a market cap of $6.85 billion, a PE ratio of 9.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $168.35 and a 200-day moving average of $169.45.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on AN shares. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Stephens began coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $199.29.

AutoNation 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.