Entropy Technologies LP Purchases New Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 1,673 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $284,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 54.0% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 311 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. grew its stake in AutoNation by 28.1% in the 3rd quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 802 shares of the company's stock valued at $143,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the third quarter valued at about $313,000. Ellsworth Advisors LLC increased its position in AutoNation by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Ellsworth Advisors LLC now owns 4,335 shares of the company's stock worth $776,000 after buying an additional 494 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in AutoNation by 33.8% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,899 shares of the company's stock worth $340,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company's stock.

AutoNation Price Performance

AN traded up $0.75 on Monday, reaching $192.74. The stock had a trading volume of 412,001 shares, compared to its average volume of 387,925. The company has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.71 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $180.03 and a 200-day moving average of $173.51. AutoNation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $136.35 and a fifty-two week high of $198.50.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 32.01% and a net margin of 2.74%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 16.74 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on AN. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens boosted their target price on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company upped 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. StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $199.71.

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.