AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Get Rating) major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 109,630 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.00, for a total transaction of $12,168,930.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,764,495 shares in the company, valued at $750,858,945. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Major shareholders that own 10% or more of a company's shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.
AutoNation Stock Performance
Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $100.77 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $118.24 and a 200-day moving average of $115.33. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.56 and a 1-year high of $135.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. The company has a market cap of $5.64 billion, a PE ratio of 4.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.08.
Get AutoNation alerts:AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 21st. The company reported $6.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $5.96 by $0.52. AutoNation had a net margin of 5.59% and a return on equity of 62.96%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.83 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 24.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $107.00 to $104.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 14th. Argus assumed coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Tuesday, August 23rd. They set a "buy" rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of AutoNation from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $150.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Friday, July 15th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $205.00 to $213.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $161.56.Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation
Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its position in AutoNation by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,811 shares of the company's stock worth $379,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its position in AutoNation by 43.6% during the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 8,169 shares of the company's stock worth $913,000 after purchasing an additional 2,480 shares in the last quarter. Sequent Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $339,000. Compton Wealth Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $476,000. Finally, Smith Graham & Co. Investment Advisors LP increased its position in AutoNation by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Smith Graham & Co. Investment Advisors LP now owns 65,346 shares of the company's stock worth $6,507,000 after purchasing an additional 2,198 shares in the last quarter. 81.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
AutoNation Company Profile
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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.
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