AutoNation, Inc. $AN Stock Position Boosted by Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.

Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. boosted its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 2.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 165,291 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,314 shares during the quarter. AutoNation makes up approximately 3.8% of Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $32,275,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 8.9% during the 1st 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 in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the first quarter valued at approximately $265,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 10.9% in 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 valued at $15,967,000 after acquiring an additional 9,656 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth grew its holdings in AutoNation by 17.3% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $562,000 after purchasing an additional 511 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in AutoNation by 37.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

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 completion of 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN stock opened at $191.00 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.20. The business has a fifty day moving average of $192.60 and a 200 day moving average of $199.15. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $176.62 and a 1 year high of $228.92.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its quarterly 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 firm had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.65 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.68 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on AN shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on AutoNation from $208.00 to $202.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings raised AutoNation from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on AutoNation from $269.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $234.00 price target for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $246.30.

AutoNation 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.