AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $199.29 Average PT from Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $199.29.

Several research firms have weighed in on AN. Guggenheim dropped their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley upgraded 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 research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens assumed coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target 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.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AN. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in AutoNation by 2.7% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,605,708 shares of the company’s stock worth $255,910,000 after purchasing an additional 41,712 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 854,034 shares of the company’s stock valued at $152,804,000 after buying an additional 19,037 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management grew its stake in AutoNation by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 781,825 shares of the company’s stock valued at $124,607,000 after acquiring an additional 4,350 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in AutoNation by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 433,730 shares of the company’s stock worth $77,623,000 after acquiring an additional 18,588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,413,000 after purchasing an additional 19,015 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AN stock opened at $172.85 on Thursday. AutoNation has a fifty-two week low of $133.13 and a fifty-two week high of $197.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.97, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.26. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $170.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $169.83.

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.