Raymond James Financial Inc. Takes $7.84 Million Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 46,136 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,836,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.12% of AutoNation as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of AutoNation by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company's stock valued at $219,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC grew its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company's stock valued at $590,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Davis Capital Management increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,703 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,648,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company's stock worth $2,532,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the period. Finally, Global X Japan Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 150.8% in the fourth 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 last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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AutoNation Stock Down 3.5 %

Shares of AN stock traded down $6.26 on Wednesday, hitting $170.76. The stock had a trading volume of 439,169 shares, compared to its average volume of 436,092. The stock's 50 day moving average is $180.91 and its 200-day moving average is $173.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $150.08 and a 52-week high of $198.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. As a group, research analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AN has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. 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 note on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Guggenheim restated a "buy" rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on 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's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoNation currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $204.71.

AutoNation 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.