MMCAP International Inc. SPC Buys New Shares in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

MMCAP International Inc. SPC bought a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 33,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,690,000. AutoNation makes up about 0.9% of MMCAP International Inc. SPC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. MMCAP International Inc. SPC owned about 0.08% of AutoNation as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 581.8% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 150.8% during the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 403.6% during the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoNation by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company’s stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter worth about $201,000. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of AN opened at $183.50 on Wednesday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $139.54 and a 52 week high of $198.50. The firm has a market cap of $7.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.25. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $181.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $174.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. On average, analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens boosted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $204.71.

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.