AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Acquired by Inspire Investing LLC

Inspire Investing LLC grew its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 17.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,320 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,548 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $1,709,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in AN. Realta Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Realta Investment Advisors now owns 1,410 shares of the company’s stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 4,061 shares of the company’s stock worth $610,000 after buying an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in AutoNation by 45.1% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 238 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 4.6% in the fourth quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,712 shares of the company’s stock worth $257,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 0.3% in the first quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 32,570 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,393,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at AutoNation

In other AutoNation news, Director David B. Edelson sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.00, for a total transaction of $1,680,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 48,793 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,197,224. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.74% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

AutoNation Stock Up 3.7 %

AN traded up $6.38 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $180.30. 170,687 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 432,905. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a market cap of $7.26 billion, a PE ratio of 8.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $165.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $155.81. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $123.81 and a one year high of $182.08.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The company reported $4.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.45 by $0.04. AutoNation had a net margin of 3.41% and a return on equity of 42.44%. The business had revenue of $6.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.49 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $6.05 EPS. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Friday, April 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 14.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on AN shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $142.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on AutoNation from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on AutoNation from $153.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, April 29th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $169.00 to $187.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 17th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $183.25.

AutoNation 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.