AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Sold by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. cut its stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 25.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 60,652 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,235 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.15% of AutoNation worth $10,852,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $509,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,436 shares of the company’s stock worth $866,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $555,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,413,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Davis Capital Management increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,532 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,543,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AN opened at $164.80 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80. AutoNation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $129.32 and a fifty-two week high of $197.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.53 billion, a PE ratio of 9.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $166.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.35.

Insider Transactions at AutoNation

In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.06, for a total transaction of $91,030.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,825,338 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $696,441,036.28. This trade represents a 0.01 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AN has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Stephens assumed coverage on AutoNation in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their target price on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $199.00.

AutoNation Company Profile

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.