Research Analysts Issue Forecasts for AutoNation Q1 Earnings

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) – Zacks Research raised their Q1 2028 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AutoNation in a research note issued on Friday, May 15th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will earn $6.07 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $5.51. The consensus estimate for AutoNation’s current full-year earnings is $21.24 per share.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The company reported $4.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.71 by ($0.02). AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.45% and a net margin of 2.47%.The business had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.68 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on AN. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on AutoNation from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Stephens raised their target price on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Bank of America began coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings raised AutoNation from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on AutoNation from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $248.33.

AutoNation Trading Down 1.1%

NYSE:AN opened at $182.18 on Tuesday. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $176.25 and a 1 year high of $228.92. The stock has a market cap of $6.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.87, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a fifty day moving average of $196.10 and a 200-day moving average of $202.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.81.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AN. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in AutoNation by 355.3% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 173 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in AutoNation by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in AutoNation in the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoNation

In related news, CAO Kimberly Dees sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.91, for a total value of $512,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 1,456 shares in the company, valued at $298,348.96. This trade represents a 63.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About AutoNation

AutoNation, Inc is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating a network of franchised new vehicle dealerships, pre-owned vehicle superstores and collision-repair centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of automotive products and services, including the sale of new cars and light trucks from leading manufacturers, certified pre-owned vehicles and a wide selection of used models. In addition to retail vehicle sales, AutoNation provides financing, insurance and extended service contracts through its in-house financial services division, as well as genuine and aftermarket parts, factory-recommended maintenance and collision-repair services.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H.