AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Short Interest Update

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,760,000 shares, a decrease of 8.8% from the January 15th total of 1,930,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 470,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days. Currently, 6.8% of the shares of the company are sold short.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AN traded up $0.78 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $193.46. The stock had a trading volume of 463,342 shares, compared to its average volume of 464,734. The business’s fifty day moving average is $180.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $173.51. 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 company has a market cap of $7.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16, a PEG ratio of 3.71 and a beta of 1.25. AutoNation has a twelve month low of $136.35 and a twelve month high of $198.50.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 32.01% and a net margin of 2.74%. As a group, research analysts expect that AutoNation will post 16.74 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens increased their price objective on 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 given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoNation currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $202.57.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AN. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 581.8% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. raised its stake in AutoNation by 150.8% during the fourth quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 403.6% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 25.5% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 315 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 77.1% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock worth $84,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.