AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $199.29.

AN has been the subject of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley upgraded 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 research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens started coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $173.09 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $170.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $169.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.98, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.26. AutoNation has a 52 week low of $133.13 and a 52 week high of $197.18.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,845 shares of the company’s stock valued at $509,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN increased its holdings in AutoNation by 2.2% during the third quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $555,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in AutoNation by 0.5% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,413,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 0.6% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,532,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Davis Capital Management lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 1.0% during the third quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,624 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,722,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

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.