Brokerages Set AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Target Price at $199.00

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $199.00.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AN shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America dropped their price target 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, Stephens began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total transaction of $7,189,355.42. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. This represents a 1.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Boston Partners purchased a new stake in AutoNation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $170,270,000. Simcoe Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the third quarter worth $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter worth $20,046,000. WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $15,832,000. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 739.9% in the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 109,040 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,509,000 after purchasing an additional 96,058 shares during the period. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $164.82 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.20. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $166.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.36. The stock has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.21. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $130.35 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.