AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Short Interest Update

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,980,000 shares, a decrease of 13.2% from the November 15th total of 2,280,000 shares. Approximately 7.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 486,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.1 days.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AN. Simcoe Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at $20,046,000. WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 2nd quarter valued at $15,832,000. Verition Fund Management LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 96,058 shares during the period. Finally, Lodge Hill Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at about $15,141,000. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AN has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens started coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Guggenheim dropped their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Three research 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 currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $199.29.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AN traded down $2.07 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $170.41. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 141,223 shares, compared to its average volume of 432,151. The stock has a market cap of $6.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.95, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $168.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $169.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. AutoNation has a twelve month low of $133.13 and a twelve month high of $197.18.

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.