AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $199.29 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $199.29.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price for the company. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE:AN opened at $174.93 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $168.32 and its 200-day moving average is $169.39. The stock has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 1.24. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $133.01 and a 1-year high of $197.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 90.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 403.6% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 498.5% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 212.2% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 743 shares of the company’s stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.