Whalen Wealth Management Inc. Takes Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Whalen Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 1,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $255,000.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AN. Simcoe Capital Management LLC bought a new position in AutoNation during the third quarter worth about $42,255,000. Holocene Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $20,046,000. Verition Fund Management LLC lifted its position in shares of AutoNation by 739.9% during the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 109,040 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,509,000 after buying an additional 96,058 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at $13,239,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in AutoNation in the third quarter valued at $131,250,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Price Performance

AN opened at $182.65 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 1.26. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $174.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $171.47. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $136.35 and a one year high of $197.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on AN. Morgan Stanley raised AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Guggenheim cut their price target on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on AutoNation from $169.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $197.71.

AutoNation Company 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.