AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Receives $248.33 Consensus Price Target from Brokerages

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $248.3333.

AN has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup raised their price target on AutoNation from $269.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 price target on shares of AutoNation in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on AutoNation from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Stephens lifted their target price on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AN opened at $186.57 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.81. AutoNation has a one year low of $176.25 and a one year high of $228.92. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $195.50 and its 200-day moving average is $202.43.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The company reported $4.69 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.71 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.65 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 31.45%. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.68 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation will post 21.24 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In related news, CAO Kimberly Dees sold 2,500 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.91, for a total transaction of $512,275.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 1,456 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $298,348.96. The trade was a 63.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simcoe Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in AutoNation during the third quarter worth approximately $18,988,000. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,140,000. 44 Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,378,000. Dynasty Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in AutoNation by 65.2% in the 3rd quarter. Dynasty Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,991 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,529,000 after purchasing an additional 2,759 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Emmett Investment Management LP purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $3,496,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About AutoNation

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.