AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Purchased by Garner Asset Management Corp

Garner Asset Management Corp raised its holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 18,242 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 872 shares during the period. AutoNation makes up 1.4% of Garner Asset Management Corp’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Garner Asset Management Corp’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $2,907,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AN. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 90.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 202 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC grew its position in AutoNation by 79.7% during the first quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 248 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 39,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $694,492,393.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 100,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.21, for a total value of $17,621,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,880,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $683,777,090.07. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction of $7,189,355.42. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,786,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $694,492,393.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 216,959 shares of company stock valued at $39,346,744. Company insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on AN. Stephens initiated coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of AutoNation from $164.00 to $187.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of AutoNation from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on AutoNation from $160.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $194.25.

AutoNation Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:AN opened at $170.84 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $6.88 billion, a PE ratio of 8.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $172.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $165.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $123.81 and a 12-month high of $197.18.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $3.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.31 by ($0.32). The company had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 36.50% and a net margin of 2.93%. AutoNation’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.29 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.