Financial Strategies Group Inc. Takes $361,000 Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Financial Strategies Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,159 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $361,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 43.9% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,538 shares of the company’s stock worth $420,000 after purchasing an additional 774 shares during the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 1.3% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 22,700 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,759,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in shares of AutoNation by 29.8% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 17,610 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,916,000 after acquiring an additional 4,047 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 501.5% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,576 shares of the company’s stock worth $923,000 after acquiring an additional 4,649 shares during the period. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its position in AutoNation by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 7,663 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,269,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total transaction of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,786,144 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $694,492,393.92. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 3,825,338 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $696,441,036.28. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.43, for a total value of $7,189,355.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,786,144 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Stephens began coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on AutoNation from $187.00 to $181.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, 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 research note on Monday, October 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $199.00.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AutoNation stock opened at $167.00 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $129.32 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The stock has a market cap of $6.62 billion, a PE ratio of 9.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 1.21. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $167.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $168.07.

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.