Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Buys 11,431 Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 351.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,679 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 11,431 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $2,453,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 854,034 shares of the company’s stock valued at $152,804,000 after acquiring an additional 19,037 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 433,730 shares of the company’s stock worth $77,623,000 after purchasing an additional 18,588 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,413,000 after purchasing an additional 19,015 shares in the last quarter. Simcoe Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,255,000. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $20,046,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens boosted their price target on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $204.71.

AutoNation Stock Down 4.2 %

Shares of AN opened at $181.19 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.25. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $136.79 and a 1 year high of $198.50. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $181.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $173.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.20.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released 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%. As a group, equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.