Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp Reduces Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp trimmed its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,397 shares of the company’s stock after selling 144 shares during the quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $608,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $509,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in AutoNation by 1.2% during the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,436 shares of the company’s stock worth $866,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% in the third quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $555,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 0.5% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,413,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 0.6% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,532,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on AN shares. Stephens started coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Guggenheim lowered their target price 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $199.29.

AutoNation Price Performance

AN stock opened at $172.70 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $168.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $169.45. The company 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 company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $133.13 and a 12-month high of $197.18.

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.