Central Pacific Bank Trust Division Cuts Position in AutoNation, Inc. $AN

Central Pacific Bank Trust Division decreased its holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 11.1% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,600 shares of the company’s stock after selling 200 shares during the quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $318,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in AutoNation by 104.2% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,882 shares of the company’s stock worth $952,000 after acquiring an additional 3,001 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in AutoNation by 95.3% in the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $850,000 after purchasing an additional 2,561 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the fourth quarter valued at $503,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in AutoNation by 9.7% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 987 shares of the company’s stock valued at $160,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the first quarter valued at $5,162,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Trading Down 2.1%

AutoNation stock opened at $222.15 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $8.38 billion, a PE ratio of 13.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $209.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $189.15. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $148.33 and a 52 week high of $228.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 25th. The company reported $5.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.70 by $0.76. The firm had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.77 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.12% and a net margin of 2.31%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.99 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on AN. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on AutoNation from $209.00 to $221.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered AutoNation from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Guggenheim lowered their target price on AutoNation from $230.00 to $228.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 11th. Stephens upped their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their target price on AutoNation from $255.00 to $250.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $222.63.

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.