Intech Investment Management LLC Buys Shares of 9,880 AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 9,880 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,575,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 90.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoNation by 79.7% during the 1st quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 248 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE AN opened at $176.91 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $172.93 and its 200-day moving average price is $166.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $123.81 and a 12-month high of $197.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 1.20.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $3.99 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.31 by ($0.32). The business had revenue of $6.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 36.50%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.29 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 100,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.21, for a total value of $17,621,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,880,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $683,777,090.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 100,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.21, for a total transaction of $17,621,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,880,467 shares in the company, valued at approximately $683,777,090.07. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 53,562 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $193.45, for a total value of $10,361,568.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,825,838 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $740,108,361.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 216,959 shares of company stock valued at $39,346,744. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently commented on AN. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $164.00 to $187.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Stephens began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $160.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $194.25.

About AutoNation

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.