AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Downgraded to “Equal Weight” Rating by Stephens

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) was downgraded by equities researchers at Stephens from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. They presently have a $192.00 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of $200.00. Stephens’ target price would indicate a potential upside of 3.74% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on AN. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $195.14.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN stock opened at $185.09 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.34 billion, a PE ratio of 10.67, a P/E/G ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.26. AutoNation has a 12 month low of $136.35 and a 12 month high of $197.18. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $174.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $171.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoNation

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 25.1% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 29,489 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,700,000 after buying an additional 5,917 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in AutoNation by 50.2% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 12,688 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,017,000 after purchasing an additional 4,242 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. raised its position in AutoNation by 0.5% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,413,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in AutoNation by 1,507.3% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 884 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,000 after purchasing an additional 829 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 4,275.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 50,107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,986,000 after purchasing an additional 51,307 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About AutoNation

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.