AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) Shares Purchased by South Dakota Investment Council

South Dakota Investment Council increased its stake in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 12.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 73,094 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,932 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council owned approximately 0.18% of AutoNation worth $12,414,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in AutoNation by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $509,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in AutoNation by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,290 shares of the company’s stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC increased its holdings in AutoNation by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $590,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Davis Capital Management increased its holdings in AutoNation by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,703 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,648,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in AutoNation by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,532,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Price Performance

Shares of AN opened at $181.19 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $7.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.70, a PEG ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $181.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $174.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.20. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $136.79 and a 12 month high of $198.50.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 return on equity of 30.48% and a net margin of 2.59%. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded AutoNation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Stephens boosted their price target on AutoNation from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on AutoNation from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on AutoNation from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.