Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Takes $13.24 Million Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 77,951 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,239,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.20% of AutoNation at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in AN. Simcoe Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the third quarter valued at approximately $20,046,000. Verition Fund Management LLC raised its position in AutoNation by 739.9% during the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 109,040 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,509,000 after acquiring an additional 96,058 shares during the period. Lodge Hill Capital LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 2nd quarter valued at about $15,141,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $131,250,000. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on AN shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price target for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $197.71.

AutoNation Stock Up 1.5 %

AN stock opened at $185.53 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $136.35 and a one year high of $197.18. The firm has a market cap of $7.36 billion, a PE ratio of 10.70, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.26. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $173.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $170.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80.

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.