South Dakota Investment Council Grows Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

South Dakota Investment Council boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) by 18.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 76,279 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 12,140 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council owned approximately 0.18% of AutoNation worth $11,456,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Realta Investment Advisors grew its position in AutoNation by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Realta Investment Advisors now owns 1,410 shares of the company's stock worth $212,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,712 shares of the company's stock valued at $257,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 1,882 shares of the company's stock valued at $285,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 6,583 shares of the company's stock valued at $989,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 18.0% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 708 shares of the company's stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 10,804 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.56, for a total value of $1,669,866.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,267,860 shares in the company, valued at $659,640,441.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 100,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.26, for a total transaction of $16,126,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,167,270 shares in the company, valued at $672,013,960.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 10,804 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.56, for a total transaction of $1,669,866.24. Following the sale, the insider now owns 4,267,860 shares of the company's stock, valued at $659,640,441.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 121,279 shares of company stock worth $19,361,962 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.74% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on AN. StockNews.com downgraded shares of AutoNation from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Guggenheim upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $165.00 to $169.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of AutoNation from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $117.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of AutoNation from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $173.00.

AutoNation Price Performance

NYSE:AN traded up $3.79 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $158.36. 392,473 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 442,214. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The stock's 50-day moving average is $152.92 and its 200-day moving average is $144.27. The firm has a market cap of $6.60 billion, a PE ratio of 6.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.24. AutoNation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $123.81 and a twelve month high of $182.08.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $5.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $6.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.67 billion. AutoNation had a net margin of 3.79% and a return on equity of 48.76%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $6.37 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation 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.

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