Two Sigma Investments LP Boosts Holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Two Sigma Investments LP increased its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 74.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 66,414 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 28,287 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP owned 0.17% of AutoNation worth $11,280,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 25.5% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 315 shares of the company's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company's stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company's stock worth $590,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 11,171 shares of the company's stock worth $1,897,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,866 shares of the company's stock worth $657,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on AN. Guggenheim dropped their target price on shares of AutoNation from $212.00 to $183.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Stephens boosted their target price 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. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Cfra Research upgraded shares of AutoNation to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of AutoNation from $194.00 to $176.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoNation presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $200.75.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN stock traded down $0.68 during trading on Thursday, reaching $182.14. 51,280 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 457,803. The company has a market capitalization of $6.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.75, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The firm's 50-day moving average is $173.21 and its 200 day moving average is $175.65. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $148.33 and a 1 year high of $198.50.

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