AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Stock Position Lowered by Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC

Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 282,198 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,565 shares during the period. AutoNation makes up about 0.6% of Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $47,929,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in AutoNation by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company’s stock valued at $219,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its position in AutoNation by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $590,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,866 shares of the company’s stock valued at $657,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Davis Capital Management grew its stake in AutoNation by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,703 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,648,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC grew its stake in AutoNation by 0.6% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,532,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Stock Performance

AN opened at $160.44 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $181.67 and a 200-day moving average of $173.91. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $150.08 and a 52-week high of $198.50. The company has a market cap of $6.27 billion, a PE ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.74.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on AN shares. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Stephens boosted their target price on 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 AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $204.71.

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.