AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Stock Has Average Price Target of $230.00

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $230.00.

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $248.00 to $213.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $290.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 21st. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 price target on shares of AutoNation in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Stephens boosted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, September 21st.

AutoNation Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:AN opened at $161.97 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $185.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $193.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. AutoNation has a 12-month low of $151.82 and a 12-month high of $235.81. The firm has a market cap of $5.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.86, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.81.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 31.24%. The business had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 EPS. The company’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoNation will post 21.35 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoNation

In related news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $198,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,757,580. This trade represents a 10.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoNation

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 73.9% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in AutoNation by 33.0% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $63,000. Monetary Solutions Ltd purchased a new position in AutoNation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Finally, Community Financial Services Group LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the second quarter valued at approximately $108,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Company Profile

AutoNation, Inc is an automotive retailer headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company sells new and used vehicles through a network of franchised dealerships representing a range of major automotive brands, as well as through digital retailing channels.

In addition to vehicle sales, AutoNation provides automotive maintenance and repair, parts, collision repair, vehicle protection products, financing assistance and other related services. Its operations support customers throughout the vehicle ownership cycle, from purchase and financing to routine service and repairs.

The company traces its origins to Republic Industries, which entered the automotive retail business in the 1990s and adopted the AutoNation name in 1998.