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

Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $243.6667.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $225.00 to $233.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on AutoNation from $240.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Barclays reduced their price target on AutoNation from $250.00 to $245.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $235.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on AutoNation from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in AutoNation by 192,434.0% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,424,431 shares of the company’s stock valued at $913,557,000 after purchasing an additional 4,422,133 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in AutoNation by 1.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,176,626 shares of the company’s stock valued at $694,950,000 after buying an additional 34,153 shares during the period. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 7.5% in the second quarter. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC now owns 1,214,510 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,262,000 after buying an additional 84,455 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 11.2% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 907,163 shares of the company’s stock valued at $198,460,000 after buying an additional 91,232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 10.5% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 697,927 shares of the company’s stock worth $151,967,000 after acquiring an additional 66,183 shares during the period. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN stock opened at $204.31 on Friday. AutoNation has a 12 month low of $148.33 and a 12 month high of $228.92. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $211.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $210.10. The firm has a market cap of $7.45 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93.

AutoNation announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Friday, October 31st that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 13.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.