Edgestream Partners L.P. Acquires Shares of 6,529 AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Edgestream Partners L.P. acquired a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 6,529 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,041,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AN. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 12.9% in the fourth quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,764 shares of the company’s stock worth $265,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth approximately $42,748,000. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 696.2% in the fourth quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 45,191 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,787,000 after acquiring an additional 39,515 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth approximately $203,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,430,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Price Performance

NYSE:AN opened at $174.51 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $123.81 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The company has a market capitalization of $6.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.27, a P/E/G ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 1.20. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $172.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $165.69.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted 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). AutoNation had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 36.50%. The business had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.29 EPS. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 17.67 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on AutoNation from $160.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Stephens initiated coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $164.00 to $187.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $194.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoNation

In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 53,562 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $193.45, for a total value of $10,361,568.90. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,825,838 shares in the company, valued at approximately $740,108,361.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 216,959 shares of company stock worth $39,346,744 over the last quarter. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.