R Squared Ltd Makes New Investment in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,281 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $218,000.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on AN. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Guggenheim decreased their price objective 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. Wells Fargo & Company lifted 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Stephens increased their price objective on AutoNation from $192.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoNation currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $195.57.

AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN opened at $187.74 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.83, a PEG ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.20. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $136.35 and a one year high of $197.18. The business has a fifty day moving average of $175.98 and a 200 day moving average of $172.14.

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.