AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $148.33 and last traded at $149.04, with a volume of 57758 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $158.55.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on AN shares. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens lifted their target price on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $201.86.

AutoNation Stock Down 0.9 %

The stock has a market cap of $6.16 billion, a PE ratio of 9.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $177.57 and a 200 day moving average of $173.65.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of AN. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in AutoNation by 9.7% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 3,346 shares of the company’s stock valued at $599,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 3.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 25,862 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,627,000 after purchasing an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 0.5% during the third quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 27,629 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,943,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 854,034 shares of the company’s stock valued at $152,804,000 after purchasing an additional 19,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $201,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

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.