Raymond James Financial Inc. Makes New Investment in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 46,136 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,836,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.12% of AutoNation at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 581.8% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 150 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. grew its position in AutoNation by 150.8% in the 4th quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 158 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in AutoNation by 77.1% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 494 shares of the company's stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its position in AutoNation by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 964 shares of the company's stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $197,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company's stock.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AN traded down $3.25 on Monday, hitting $171.84. The company's stock had a trading volume of 618,351 shares, compared to its average volume of 456,233. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $168.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $172.85. The firm has a market cap of $6.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.15. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $148.33 and a 12 month high of $198.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $212.00 to $183.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating and a $217.00 target price for the company. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $194.00 to $176.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $195.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $200.75.

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.