Quantbot Technologies LP Lowers Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Quantbot Technologies LP lowered its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 44.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,055 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,653 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $1,198,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 150.8% during the fourth quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. 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 last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its position in AutoNation by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC bought a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $197,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AN opened at $177.03 on Wednesday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $150.08 and a 12-month high of $198.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $180.91 and a 200 day moving average of $173.74.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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%. On average, research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on AN. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Stephens increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $204.71.

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.