Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Has $55.57 Million Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 327,165 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,277 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.83% of AutoNation worth $55,566,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AN. Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 142.2% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 73,429 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,138,000 after buying an additional 43,113 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $585,000. Whalen Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at about $255,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at about $13,239,000. Finally, Foster & Motley Inc. lifted its position in AutoNation by 97.4% in the 4th quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 11,640 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,977,000 after acquiring an additional 5,742 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Trading Down 5.2 %

Shares of AN opened at $156.69 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $182.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $174.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. AutoNation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $150.08 and a twelve month high of $198.50. The stock has a market cap of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 9.25, a P/E/G ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. On average, equities analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on AN shares. StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Stephens raised 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. Evercore ISI upped their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $204.71.

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.