AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $248.6667.

A number of research analysts have commented on AN shares. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Barclays cut their price objective on AutoNation from $250.00 to $245.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $235.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on AutoNation from $222.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $197.74 on Friday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $198.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $206.32. AutoNation has a 12-month low of $148.33 and a 12-month high of $228.92. The firm has a market cap of $6.79 billion, a PE ratio of 11.59 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.91 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.21 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.35% and a return on equity of 31.69%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.97 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that AutoNation will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoNation

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 9,494 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,960,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,668 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,170,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 0.9% in the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 6,288 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,376,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 13.3% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 519 shares of the company’s stock worth $114,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crestwood Advisors Group LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 3.2% in the third quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 2,076 shares of the company’s stock worth $454,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Company Profile

AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.