AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Acquired by Verition Fund Management LLC

Verition Fund Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 739.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 109,040 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 96,058 shares during the quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC owned about 0.28% of AutoNation worth $19,509,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in AutoNation by 90.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation during the second quarter worth $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings 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 position in AutoNation by 498.5% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company's stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $103,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped 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. Bank of America decreased their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded AutoNation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $199.29.

AutoNation Price Performance

AN stock traded down $0.33 on Friday, reaching $178.89. The company had a trading volume of 167,106 shares, compared to its average volume of 434,393. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. The company's fifty day moving average is $168.10 and its 200 day moving average is $168.87. The company has a market cap of $7.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.32, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 1.21. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.01 and a 1 year high of $197.18.

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.