Quest Partners LLC Has $868,000 Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Quest Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 48,440.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,854 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,844 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC's holdings in AutoNation were worth $868,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 90.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 403.6% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. Quarry LP raised its stake in AutoNation by 498.5% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company's stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in AutoNation during the second quarter worth about $103,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of AutoNation stock traded up $2.36 on Friday, hitting $172.41. 316,226 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 429,505. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $167.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $168.34. 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, Inc. has a 12-month low of $130.35 and a 12-month high of $197.18. The company has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a PE ratio of 9.93, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.21.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. The trade was a 1.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AutoNation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $199.29.

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.