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

Quantbot Technologies LP reduced its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 44.5% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm 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 recently modified their holdings of the company. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in AutoNation by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company’s stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $590,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of AutoNation by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,866 shares of the company’s stock worth $657,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Davis Capital Management grew its stake in AutoNation by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,703 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,648,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global X Japan Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 150.8% in the 4th 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 during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Stephens upped their price objective on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoNation currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $204.71.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $177.03 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap 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 debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $180.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $173.74. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $150.08 and a one year high of $198.50.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. Equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.

AutoNation Profile

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.