AutoNation (NYSE:AN) Sets New 12-Month High - What's Next?

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $213.62 and last traded at $211.12, with a volume of 11276 shares. The stock had previously closed at $211.33.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $212.00 to $183.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $187.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup raised shares of AutoNation to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $225.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $209.88.

AutoNation Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $8.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $192.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $181.01.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $4.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.35 by $0.33. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.51% and a return on equity of 30.08%. The firm had revenue of $6.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.49 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 327,165 shares of the company's stock worth $55,566,000 after buying an additional 6,277 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc increased its holdings in AutoNation by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 3,040 shares of the company's stock worth $516,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,009,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,836,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in AutoNation by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 6,427 shares of the company's stock worth $1,092,000 after buying an additional 548 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.