Barclays PLC Boosts Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Barclays PLC grew its holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 14.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 50,433 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 6,446 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned about 0.13% of AutoNation worth $8,567,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 581.8% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 150.8% in the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of AutoNation by 77.1% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company's stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company's stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation during the 4th quarter worth $197,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company's stock.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE AN traded up $1.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $175.14. 1,273,275 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 455,582. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The company has a market cap of $6.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.15. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $148.33 and a 12-month high of $198.50. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $169.09 and a 200 day moving average of $172.74.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $4.68 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.35 by $0.33. AutoNation had a return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. The business had revenue of $6.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.53 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.49 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on AN shares. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Citigroup began coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday. They set a "buy" rating and a $217.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $212.00 to $183.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $194.00 to $176.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on AutoNation from $195.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $200.75.

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.