Peak Retirement Planning Inc. Takes Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Peak Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 5,611 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $952,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in AutoNation by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 23,002 shares of the company's stock worth $3,907,000 after buying an additional 525 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in shares of AutoNation by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 88,954 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,108,000 after purchasing an additional 4,210 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 253.0% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 172,264 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,257,000 after purchasing an additional 123,466 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 44.1% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 66,700 shares of the company's stock valued at $11,328,000 after purchasing an additional 20,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP raised its position in AutoNation by 74.2% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 66,414 shares of the company's stock worth $11,280,000 after purchasing an additional 28,287 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on AutoNation from $194.00 to $176.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded AutoNation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, May 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoNation presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $200.75.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE:AN traded up $3.18 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $185.39. 432,968 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 459,216. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $148.33 and a one year high of $198.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $172.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $175.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.99 billion, a PE ratio of 10.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.00.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $4.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.35 by $0.33. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. The firm had revenue of $6.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.49 EPS. The business's revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation Company Profile

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.