Proficio Capital Partners LLC Buys New Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 41,271 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,009,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC owned approximately 0.10% of AutoNation as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AN. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in AutoNation by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company’s stock valued at $219,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $590,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Davis Capital Management raised its holdings in AutoNation by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,703 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,648,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,532,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global X Japan Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 150.8% in the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Trading Up 2.4 %

NYSE:AN opened at $160.44 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $181.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $173.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.21. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $150.08 and a 12 month high of $198.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a PE ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. Research analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AN has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com raised AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Stephens increased their target price on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $204.71.

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.