Autohome (NYSE:ATHM) Trading Up 3.8% - Should You Buy?

Shares of Autohome Inc. (NYSE:ATHM - Get Free Report) were up 3.8% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $26.14 and last traded at $25.97. 65,093 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 481,760 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.02.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on ATHM shares. CLSA lowered shares of Autohome from an "outperform" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Autohome to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Autohome to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Autohome from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Autohome presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $28.00.

Autohome Stock Down 0.8 %

The stock's 50 day moving average is $27.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.40. The company has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a PE ratio of 12.91 and a beta of 0.20.

Autohome Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a $1.15 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This is a boost from Autohome's previous Variable dividend of $0.57. Autohome's dividend payout ratio is presently 83.58%.

Autohome announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program on Wednesday, September 4th that authorizes the company to buyback $0.00 in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the information services provider to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Autohome

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Autohome in the second quarter worth $22,501,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Autohome by 14.7% in the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 4,440,462 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $121,859,000 after acquiring an additional 568,474 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in shares of Autohome by 106.2% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 683,144 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $22,284,000 after purchasing an additional 351,789 shares during the period. M&G PLC increased its holdings in shares of Autohome by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. M&G PLC now owns 3,384,865 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $111,701,000 after purchasing an additional 296,107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Krane Funds Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Autohome by 10.7% in the 2nd quarter. Krane Funds Advisors LLC now owns 2,816,972 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $77,326,000 after purchasing an additional 272,092 shares during the period. 63.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Autohome

Autohome Inc operates as an online destination for automobile consumers in the People's Republic of China. The company delivers interactive content and tools to automobile consumers through its three websites, autohome.com.cn, che168.com, and ttpai.cn on PCs, mobile devices, mobile applications, and mini apps.