AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Sold by Private Management Group Inc.

Private Management Group Inc. trimmed its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 139,543 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,367 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc.’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $23,700,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Strategies Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 27.7% in the fourth quarter. Financial Strategies Group Inc. now owns 2,757 shares of the company’s stock worth $471,000 after acquiring an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. JB Capital LLC lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. JB Capital LLC now owns 9,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,625,000 after purchasing an additional 829 shares in the last quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC boosted its stake in AutoNation by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 2,715 shares of the company’s stock worth $461,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the last quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 97.4% during the fourth quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 11,640 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,977,000 after buying an additional 5,742 shares in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the fourth quarter valued at about $218,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Price Performance

NYSE:AN opened at $194.87 on Thursday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $136.35 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $177.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $172.73. The company has a market capitalization of $7.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on AN shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America cut their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Stephens boosted their price objective on AutoNation from $192.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $195.57.

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.