AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $246.90.

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of AutoNation from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In other AutoNation news, CAO Kimberly Dees sold 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.91, for a total value of $512,275.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of AN. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 8.9% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,953 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,070,000 after acquiring an additional 1,551 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the first quarter worth $265,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 10.9% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 98,610 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,967,000 after acquiring an additional 9,656 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 17.3% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 511 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $193.70 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $6.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.74. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $196.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $202.00. AutoNation has a 1-year low of $176.62 and a 1-year high of $228.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.20.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The company reported $4.69 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.71 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.65 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.45% and a net margin of 2.47%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.68 earnings per share. Analysts predict that AutoNation will post 21.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation Company Profile

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.