AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.46 EPS

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) announced its earnings results on Friday. The company reported $4.02 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.48 by ($0.46), reports. AutoNation had a return on equity of 36.50% and a net margin of 2.93%. The business had revenue of $6.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.73 billion.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE AN opened at $155.83 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.19. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $170.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $167.85. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $123.81 and a 1 year high of $197.18.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on AN shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of AutoNation in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $160.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $200.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.06, for a total value of $91,030.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,825,338 shares in the company, valued at $696,441,036.28. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at $694,492,393.92. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.06, for a total transaction of $91,030.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,825,338 shares in the company, valued at $696,441,036.28. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 93,256 shares of company stock worth $17,641,954. Corporate insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 54.1% during the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 51,743 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,568,000 after acquiring an additional 18,157 shares during the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the first quarter valued at $1,484,000. Diversified Trust Co bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the second quarter valued at $838,000. BOKF NA raised its stake in AutoNation by 39.1% during the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 53,461 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,808,000 after buying an additional 15,015 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caxton Associates LP bought a new position in AutoNation during the first quarter worth $1,083,000. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

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.