AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $199.00 Consensus PT from Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $199.00.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Bank of America decreased their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Stephens began coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock.

AutoNation Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE AN traded up $2.15 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $167.13. The company had a trading volume of 168,008 shares, compared to its average volume of 431,304. The stock has a market cap of $6.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.65, a PEG ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 1.21. The company's fifty day moving average price is $166.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $168.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. AutoNation has a 12 month low of $129.32 and a 12 month high of $197.18.

Insider Activity at AutoNation

In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,786,144 shares of the company's stock, valued at $694,492,393.92. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.06, for a total transaction of $91,030.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,825,338 shares of the company's stock, valued at $696,441,036.28. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total transaction of $7,189,355.42. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares of the company's stock, valued at $694,492,393.92. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.74% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoNation

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 43.9% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,538 shares of the company's stock valued at $420,000 after purchasing an additional 774 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 501.5% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,576 shares of the company's stock worth $923,000 after buying an additional 4,649 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 1.3% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,058 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,493,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation during the first quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in AutoNation by 17.5% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,149 shares of the company's stock worth $521,000 after acquiring an additional 468 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company's stock.

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.