JPMorgan Chase & Co. Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Stock

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $180.00 to $195.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "neutral" rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s target price points to a potential upside of 7.62% from the stock's previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on AN. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com raised shares of AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $204.71.

AutoNation Stock Down 4.2 %

Shares of NYSE:AN traded down $7.97 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $181.19. 502,704 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 459,680. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $180.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $173.89. The firm has a market cap of $7.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.25. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $136.79 and a 1-year high of $198.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (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%. Analysts anticipate that AutoNation will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AN. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 581.8% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the period. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in AutoNation by 150.8% in the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 403.6% in the 3rd 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. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 25.5% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 315 shares of the company's stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 77.1% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company's stock worth $84,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. 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.