Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. Boosts Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 25.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 146,402 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 29,715 shares during the period. AutoNation makes up about 3.4% of Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. owned approximately 0.37% of AutoNation worth $24,865,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its position in AutoNation by 142.2% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 73,429 shares of the company's stock valued at $13,138,000 after buying an additional 43,113 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $585,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in AutoNation by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company's stock valued at $57,413,000 after buying an additional 19,015 shares during the last quarter. Whalen Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth about $255,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth about $13,239,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $204.71.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AutoNation stock traded up $3.11 on Wednesday, reaching $166.41. 638,853 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 438,381. The stock has a market cap of $6.53 billion, a PE ratio of 9.82, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. AutoNation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $150.08 and a twelve month high of $198.50. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $181.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $173.70.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.

AutoNation Company 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.