AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Price Target Cut to $228.00 by Analysts at Guggenheim

Key Points

• Guggenheim has reduced its price target for AutoNation from $230.00 to $228.00, while maintaining a "buy" rating, indicating a potential upside of 16.26% from the previous close.
• AutoNation reported quarterly earnings with an EPS of $5.46, exceeding estimates and reflecting a year-over-year revenue increase of 7.6%.
• Currently, AutoNation holds a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $220.75, supported by various analysts' positive outlooks on the stock.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Free Report) had its price target reduced by Guggenheim from $230.00 to $228.00 in a report issued on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. Guggenheim currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 10th. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $209.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Cfra Research upgraded shares of AutoNation to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on AutoNation from $185.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $223.25.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AN stock traded down $1.50 on Monday, reaching $206.50. 108,771 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 484,718. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.21. AutoNation has a 12 month low of $148.33 and a 12 month high of $217.40. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $199.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $184.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.79 billion, a PE ratio of 12.94, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.89.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 25th. The company reported $5.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.70 by $0.76. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.77 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.31% and a return on equity of 31.12%. The firm's revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.99 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that AutoNation will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation during the 2nd quarter valued at about $210,000. MML Investors Services LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 11.2% during the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 4,533 shares of the company's stock worth $900,000 after buying an additional 456 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 0.9% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 18,208 shares of the company's stock worth $3,617,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. HRT Financial LP lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 111.0% in the second quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 32,486 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,453,000 after buying an additional 17,092 shares during the period. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP boosted its stake in AutoNation by 44.8% in the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 41,069 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,158,000 after acquiring an additional 12,704 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company's stock.

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.