AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) is Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s 6th Largest Position

Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 25.5% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 146,402 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 29,715 shares during the quarter. AutoNation accounts for 3.4% of Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $24,865,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of AN. Simcoe Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $20,046,000. Verition Fund Management LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 739.9% in the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 109,040 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,509,000 after buying an additional 96,058 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $13,239,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $7,836,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Stock Performance

NYSE AN opened at $160.44 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $150.08 and a 52-week 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 company has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47, a P/E/G ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a fifty day moving average of $181.84 and a 200-day moving average of $174.13.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $4.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.71. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 30.48%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AN. Stephens lifted 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. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $204.71.

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.