AutoNation, Inc. $AN Shares Purchased by AQR Capital Management LLC

Key Points

• AQR Capital Management LLC significantly increased its stake in AutoNation, Inc. by 144.6%, now owning approximately 1.1% of the company worth $65.95 million.
• Several hedge funds have also raised their positions in AutoNation, indicating strong institutional interest as they collectively own 94.62% of the company's stock.
• Analysts have boosted their price targets for AutoNation, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a price target of $223.25, reflecting confidence in the company's performance.

AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 144.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 416,167 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 245,994 shares during the quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC owned 1.10% of AutoNation worth $65,950,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in AutoNation by 104.2% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,882 shares of the company's stock worth $952,000 after purchasing an additional 3,001 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 95.3% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock worth $850,000 after buying an additional 2,561 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at about $503,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of AutoNation by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 987 shares of the company's stock valued at $160,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the 1st quarter valued at about $5,162,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AutoNation Price Performance

AN traded up $4.04 during trading on Thursday, reaching $227.29. The stock had a trading volume of 616,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 362,090. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $208.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $188.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.89. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.33 and a 1-year high of $228.92.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 25th. The company reported $5.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.70 by $0.76. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.12% and a net margin of 2.31%.The company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.99 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim cut their target price on shares of AutoNation from $230.00 to $228.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 11th. Bank of America cut their price target on AutoNation from $255.00 to $250.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on AutoNation from $185.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on AutoNation from $209.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Stephens raised their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $222.63.

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.