AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Downgraded by Stephens to “Equal Weight”

Stephens cut shares of AutoNation (NYSE:AN) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report published on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. Stephens currently has $192.00 price target on the stock, down from their prior price target of $200.00.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Guggenheim reduced their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Bank of America reduced their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $195.14.

AutoNation Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of AN stock opened at $182.67 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $175.10 and a 200 day moving average of $171.72. 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 $7.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.53, a P/E/G ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.26. AutoNation has a twelve month low of $136.35 and a twelve month high of $197.18.

Institutional Trading of AutoNation

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 142.2% during the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 73,429 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,138,000 after purchasing an additional 43,113 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter worth approximately $585,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 33.8% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,899 shares of the company’s stock worth $340,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 6.3% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 320,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,413,000 after purchasing an additional 19,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the second quarter worth approximately $3,604,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.