77,951 Shares in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Purchased by Assenagon Asset Management S.A.

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 77,951 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,239,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.20% of AutoNation at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in AN. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 854,034 shares of the company's stock valued at $152,804,000 after purchasing an additional 19,037 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 4.5% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 433,730 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,623,000 after buying an additional 18,588 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in AutoNation by 6.3% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company's stock worth $57,413,000 after buying an additional 19,015 shares in the last quarter. Simcoe Capital Management LLC bought a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $42,255,000. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $20,046,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE AN traded up $2.73 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $185.53. The company had a trading volume of 382,258 shares, compared to its average volume of 384,429. The stock has a market cap of $7.36 billion, a PE ratio of 10.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.26. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $136.35 and a one year high of $197.18. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $173.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $170.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased 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. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AutoNation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Guggenheim lowered their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Bank of America cut 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $197.71.

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.