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Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) were up 6.7% on Friday. The company traded as high as $163.47 and last traded at $163.5190. 17,940 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 96% from the average session volume of 448,400 shares. The stock had previously closed at $153.19.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several research analysts have issued reports on AN shares. Weiss Ratings lowered AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, September 21st. Stephens boosted their price objective on AutoNation from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Citigroup lowered their target price on AutoNation from $290.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on AutoNation from $260.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $230.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AN

AutoNation Price Performance
The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $185.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $193.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.50, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.81.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 31.24%. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.26 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.12 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling
In other AutoNation news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows
A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter worth $762,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.0% in the 3rd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,976 shares of the company’s stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 534 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 90.3% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 30,771 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,845,000 after buying an additional 14,600 shares during the last quarter. Davis Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 9,712 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,529,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in AutoNation by 14.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Company Profile
(Get Free Report)

AutoNation, Inc is an automotive retailer headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company sells new and used vehicles through a network of franchised dealerships representing a range of major automotive brands, as well as through digital retailing channels.

In addition to vehicle sales, AutoNation provides automotive maintenance and repair, parts, collision repair, vehicle protection products, financing assistance and other related services. Its operations support customers throughout the vehicle ownership cycle, from purchase and financing to routine service and repairs.

The company traces its origins to Republic Industries, which entered the automotive retail business in the 1990s and adopted the AutoNation name in 1998.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, on Friday, October 30, 2026, before the market opens. AutoNation management will discuss these results and other information regarding the Company during a conference call and audio webcast that same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by telephone at 833-461-5787 (Conference ID: 561396341).

Wayne Huizenga started with a borrowed $5,000 and a single garbage truck, then pulled off something Forbes says no entrepreneur has ever repeated before or since.

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In 1962, Wayne Huizenga borrowed $5,000 from his father to buy a used truck and a few accounts from a Fort Lauderdale trash hauler. The venture was called Southern Sanitation Service. He reportedly collected garbage from two in the morning until early afternoon, then spent his afternoons finding new customers. One truck, one owner doing the hauling and the selling, and a few of accounts.

Huizenga got his start in Evergreen Park, Illinois, before moving to Florida where he would run the same method through three unglamorous industries.

How Waste Management Wrote the Rollup Playbook By 1968, Huizenga was running twenty trucks from Fort Lauderdale to Key West. Dean Buntrock, a relative who ran the original family garbage business, proposed a merger, and together they formed Waste Management (NYSE:WM | WM Price Prediction).

The company went public in June 1971, raising about $4 million. Within eighteen months, it had acquired about seventy-five local haulers from Chicago down the East Coast to Florida, and by 1972 operated across nineteen states.

Owners were paid in company stock and kept on as managers. Pay in stock, keep the operator. The seller became a shareholder with incentive to grow the business, customer relationships stayed intact, and the buyer saved cash. That formula runs through everything that follows.

By 1984, Waste Management generated over $1 billion in revenue. Huizenga was worth at least $21 million when he retired at 46.

Blockbuster Ran the Same Method on Video Rental In 1987, he invested in Blockbuster, then just eight company-owned stores plus eleven franchises. Within a year it became the world’s largest video-rental chain, reaching 1,654 stores by 1991. Viacom bought it for $8.4 billion in 1994. Same target: a fragmented business with no national brand, consolidated fast.

AutoNation Made It Three for Three In 1995, Huizenga personally committed $64 million and raised $168 million to buy Republic Waste Industries, renaming it Republic Industries and later AutoNation (NYSE:AN). Within six months he had acquired sixty-five dealerships and opened eleven used-car superstores. By 1999, AutoNation owned or had deals for about four hundred new-car dealerships.

Forbes called him the only entrepreneur to create three different Fortune 500 companies. CNBC described him as the AutoNation and Waste Management founder.

Three Leagues, One Owner ABC News reported he was the first person to own teams in three major U.S. pro sports leagues: the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins (which he founded and which won the 1997 World Series), and the Florida Panthers (which he also founded).

What Survived the Founder Huizenga died on March 22, 2018, at 80. Forbes put his net worth at his death in 2018 at $2.8 billion. Mike Jackson, who led AutoNation at the time, told CNBC, “He had a magic ability to create a business that was unmatched.”

Look at what became of the three companies. WM, formerly Waste Management, trades on the NYSE with a market capitalization of about $81.86 billion. AutoNation, also on the NYSE, has a market capitalization of about $5.13 billion. Blockbuster no longer exists.

One became an enormous industrial business, one is a fraction of its size, and one was erased by technology. The playbook worked three times.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday. The stock traded as low as $164.70 and last traded at $164.8370, with a volume of 463589 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $169.61. Analysts Set New Price Targets AN has been

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Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.

AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 7.76; value investors should take notice.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.28 to $21.69 per share. AN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.

AutoNation, Inc. (AN) Presents at Morgan Stanley's 14th Annual Laguna Conference Transcript

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), today announced that its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Szlosek, will participate in Morgan Stanley's 14th Annual Laguna Conference on Thursday, September 17, at 7 a.m. Pacific time. Mr. Szlosek will speak to investors in a fireside chat about the Company's strategy, financial performance, capital allocation, current trends affecting the business, and other related matters.A live webcast of the event.

Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,050 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $752,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in AutoNation during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in AutoNation by 49.7% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in AutoNation by 33.0% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AutoNation in the second quarter valued at $63,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded AutoNation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $255.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a report on Monday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on AutoNation from $287.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $250.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on AutoNation Insiders Place Their Bets In other AutoNation news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares in the company, valued at $1,757,580. The trade was a 10.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

AutoNation Stock Down 2.1% AN opened at $195.27 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $200.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $197.69. The company has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.04, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.71. AutoNation, Inc. has a one year low of $176.62 and a one year high of $235.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 0.78.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The business’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)

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.

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Key Takeaways AutoNation's record Parts & Service profits and growing finance earnings provide recurring growth drivers.AN is investing in digital capabilities while repurchasing shares to support per-share earnings.High debt, weaker new-vehicle profitability and elevated SG&A remain key challenges. AutoNation (AN - Free Report) is set to gain from record aftersales profits, expanding finance earnings, digital investments and share repurchases. However, high debt limits financial flexibility, while weaker new-vehicle profitability and elevated operating costs remain concerns.

Let’s dig deeper and see why this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is worth retaining in your portfolio.

Aftersales Contribution & Investment in Technology Aid ANAftersales remains AutoNation’s largest gross profit contributor and provides a recurring earnings stream across vehicle cycles. In the second quarter of 2026, Parts & Service gross profit reached a record $607 million, up 1% year over year, while customer-pay gross profit rose 7% in total and 4% on a same-store basis. Same-store franchise technician headcount rose more than 2%, and the company expects technician capacity and customer retention to be key to sustaining mid-single-digit aftersales gross profit growth over time.

AutoNation Finance continues to expand its earnings contribution as the loan portfolio scales and external funding increases. In second-quarter 2026, originations were $485 million, and the portfolio reached $2.67 billion, up about 52% year over year. Quarterly profit rose to $11 million from $2 million, while first-half profit reached $20 million versus $2 million a year earlier. Finance penetration was 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of financed sales.

AutoNation continues to invest in digital and omni-channel capabilities as customers increasingly use online resources for vehicle research and purchasing. AutoNation Express supports online buying and selling, while its minority investment in TrueCar broadens digital reach. AN is also adding functionality across research, purchase and vehicle-fulfillment channels to match changing customer preferences. These investments complement store execution, and second-quarter 2026 market share remained consistent with the first quarter in the markets AutoNation serves.

AutoNation continues to deploy capital toward share repurchases, which remains an important lever for per-share earnings and boosts shareholder confidence. From Jan. 1 to July 29, 2026, AutoNation repurchased 2.3 million shares. As of June 30, 2026, $618.9 million remained authorized under the current program.

High Debt & Operating Cost Ail AutoNationAutoNation’s balance sheet remains leveraged as capital deployment expands. As of June 30, 2026, non-vehicle debt was $4.4 billion, cash was $53 million and liquidity was about $1 billion. The firm’s long-term debt-to-capital ratio stands at 0.72 compared to the industry’s 0.27. High debt restricts the firm’s financial flexibility.

New-vehicle economics remain exposed to vehicle costs, manufacturer incentives and changes in powertrain mix even as sequential profitability has stabilized. In second-quarter 2026, new-vehicle gross profit per unit was $2,381, down 15% from $2,785 a year earlier, while new units fell 4%. The decline reflected higher average vehicle costs and lower manufacturer incentives, with BEV sales down more than 30% year over year. Premium Luxury new units fell 4%, while Domestic units declined 12%. The company expects prior-year tariff and EV-credit comparison effects to ease in the second half, but sustaining margins still depends on vehicle costs and mix.

Operating efficiency remains below the company’s long-term target despite sequential progress. Adjusted SG&A was 68.2% of gross profit in the second quarter of 2026, up from the 66% to 67% target range and 66.2% a year earlier. Advertising costs rose to support vehicle sales, while first-half spending also reflected customer experience investments and higher self-insured losses.

Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates  AN has underperformed the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry in the last six months. Its shares have gained 1.8% compared to the industry’s growth of 14.3%. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 
From a valuation perspective, AN appears undervalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.23, lower than the industry’s 0.3. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AN’s 2026 EPS has improved 28 cents in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks in the auto space are China Yuchai International Limited (CYD - Free Report) and Garrett Motion Inc. (GTX - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CYD’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 58.6% and 68.6%, respectively.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GTX’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.2% and 25.7%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 10 cents each over the past 30 days.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

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Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

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How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.

AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.45; value investors should take notice.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.50 to $21.69 per share. AN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 14th, 2026

Bank of America Corp DE trimmed its position in shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 18.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 194,018 shares of the company’s stock after selling 42,907 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE owned approximately 0.58% of AutoNation worth $37,884,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AN. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation during the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of AutoNation by 49.7% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in AutoNation by 33.0% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Monetary Solutions Ltd bought a new position in AutoNation during the fourth quarter worth $64,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity In related news, Director Lisa Lutoff-Perlo sold 900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $198,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,989 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,757,580. This represents a 10.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have commented on AN. Argus lifted their target price on AutoNation from $241.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded AutoNation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $250.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on AutoNation

AutoNation Stock Performance AN stock opened at $208.46 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The company has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.71. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $176.62 and a 12 month high of $235.81. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $199.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $198.12.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.48 by $0.08. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The company had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.26 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AutoNation Profile (Free Report)

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.

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Key Takeaways AutoNation's Q2 adjusted EPS rose 1.8% to $5.56, beating the $5.43 consensus estimate by 2.4%.After-Sales gross profit hit a record $607.1M, becoming AutoNation's largest gross profit contributor.AutoNation expects second-half adjusted EPS growth on After-Sales, CFS, finance growth and fewer shares. AutoNation, Inc. (AN - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $5.56 per share, up 1.8% from $5.46 a year ago. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.43 by 2.4%. Results benefited from record After-Sales gross profit and stronger Customer Financial Services profitability. Revenues of $6.93 billion declined 0.6% year over year and missed the consensus estimate of $6.97 billion by 0.6%.

AN's After-Sales Business Delivers Record ProfitParts and service revenues increased 3.4% year over year to $1.26 billion. Gross profit rose 1.4% to a record $607.1 million, making After-Sales the largest contributor to AutoNation's gross profit.

Customer-pay revenues increased 7% year over year, while wholesale parts revenues advanced 16%. Customer-pay repair orders rose 5% and warranty repair orders increased 8%. Parts and service gross margin declined to 48.1% from 49%, mainly reflecting a higher mix of lower-margin wholesale parts.

AutoNation's Finance Businesses Show MomentumCustomer Financial Services gross profit totaled $357.6 million, down 2.7% from $367.7 million a year earlier as lower retail vehicle volumes offset stronger per-unit profitability. CFS gross profit per vehicle retailed climbed 3.2% to $2,799 from $2,712. The improvement came despite an approximately 2% drag from higher AutoNation Finance originations.

AutoNation Finance, meanwhile, generated income of $10.7 million, up from $2 million a year ago. The portfolio reached $2.67 billion, increasing about 52% from $1.76 billion, while quarterly originations totaled $485 million. AN Finance accounted for 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of financed vehicle sales, highlighting the growing contribution of the captive finance platform.

AN's Vehicle Volumes Remain Under PressureNew vehicle revenues declined 3.1% to $3.29 billion as retail unit sales fell 4% to 63,240. New vehicle gross profit per unit dropped 14.5% to $2,381, reflecting higher vehicle costs. Much of the volume decline was due to weaker battery-electric vehicle sales and difficult comparisons against tariff-related demand pull-forward in 2025.

Used vehicle revenues increased 1.3% to $2.01 billion despite a 7.5% decline in retail unit sales to 64,521. Retail used vehicle revenue per unit increased 8.4% to $28,674, while gross profit per unit slipped 2.5% to $1,582.

AN's Gross Profit and Adjusted Income DeclineTotal gross profit fell 3.5% year over year to $1.23 billion, with gross margin narrowing to 17.8% from 18.3%. Adjusted operating income declined 7% to $343.1 million from $369.3 million.

Adjusted SG&A expenses represented 68.2% of gross profit, improving sequentially from 69.8% in the first quarter but remaining above 66.2% a year ago. Management expects the ratio to reach its 66%-67% target range on a run-rate basis by year-end.

AutoNation's Cash Flow Funds Acquisitions and BuybacksAdjusted free cash flow totaled $439.2 million in the first half of 2026, representing 125% of adjusted net income. AutoNation spent $316.5 million on acquisitions and $126 million on capital expenditures during the period.

The company also repurchased 2.3 million shares for $457 million in the first half.  As of June 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $53.3 million. Non-vehicle debt was $4.43 billion. AutoNation had about $1 billion of liquidity, including $0.9 billion available under its revolving credit facility, net of commercial paper borrowings.

AN Expects Earnings Growth in the Second HalfManagement expects after-sales customer-pay gross profit to maintain mid-single-digit growth, supported by customer retention and technician capacity. With stable vehicle unit profitability, continued CFS and After-Sales growth, AutoNation Finance expansion and a lower share count, management expects adjusted earnings per share to grow year over year in the second half of 2026.

AN stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Peer ReleasesPenske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.62 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.38 by 7.1%. Adjusted earnings declined 4.2% from the comparable $3.78 per share a year ago. Penske’s revenues rose 6% year over year to $8.51 billion and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.93 billion by 7.4%. For the first six months of 2026, cash flow from operations totaled $418 million and capital expenditures were $134.9 million. As of June 30, Penske’s liquidity was about $1.4 billion, including $69.5 million in cash.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.82 per share, down 17% year over year. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.75 by 4%. Revenues rose 8% to $3.93 billion and topped the consensus mark of $3.78 billion by 4%. Sonic ended the quarter with about $294 million of cash and floor plan deposits and roughly $676 million of total available liquidity. The company raised full-year new-vehicle gross profit per unit guidance to $2,850-$3,000 from $2,700-$3,000. Sonic’s EchoPark unit is still expected to deliver 12%-15% retail used-unit growth this year.

Lithia Motors (LAD - Free Report) posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $10.03 per share, which increased 9% from $9.20 a year ago. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.67 by 15.7%. Quarterly revenues increased 2.2% year over year to $9.79 billion and topped the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion by 1.6%. As of June 30, 2026, Lithia had cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $363.9 million, up from $341.8 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. During the quarter, Lithia repurchased roughly 854,000 shares at a weighted average price of $284, representing $242 million of share repurchases.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 6th, 2026

Amundi purchased a new position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 42,174 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,235,000. Amundi owned approximately 0.13% of AutoNation as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its position in AutoNation by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 57,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,825,000 after purchasing an additional 12,210 shares in the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new position in AutoNation in the fourth quarter valued at about $6,443,000. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in AutoNation by 180.1% in the fourth quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 13,206 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,727,000 after purchasing an additional 8,491 shares in the last quarter. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new position in AutoNation in the fourth quarter worth about $2,247,000. Finally, Evolve Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter valued at about $4,077,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on AutoNation from $202.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on AutoNation from $235.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $248.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research report on Monday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoNation has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $247.45.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AN

AutoNation Stock Up 0.0% Shares of AN stock opened at $215.68 on Thursday. AutoNation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $176.62 and a fifty-two week high of $235.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.13 billion, a PE ratio of 9.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $197.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $198.44.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $5.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.48 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.24% and a net margin of 2.82%.The company’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that AutoNation, Inc. will post 21.59 earnings per share for the current year.

AutoNation Company Profile (Free Report)

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.

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AutoNation remains a 'Strong Buy' at 9x earnings, supported by resilient service profits and aggressive buybacks. Despite mixed Q2 results and macro headwinds, AN's service and finance units provide stability and recurring cash flows. Buybacks have reduced share count by 12% YoY, with a further 10% reduction expected, driving EPS growth even as car sales cyclicality persists.

Beyond the Foundry: 5 Infrastructure Stocks Tackling the AI BottlenecksAutoNation NYSE: AN reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $5.56, up from $5.46 a year earlier, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year adjusted EPS growth. The company said after-sales operations, customer financial services and capital allocation helped offset lower new-vehicle volume tied in part to battery-electric vehicle sales and prior-year tariff-related demand pull-forward.

Total revenue was $6.93 billion, compared with $6.97 billion in the prior-year quarter, while gross profit totaled $1.23 billion, down from $1.28 billion. Adjusted operating income was $343 million, compared with $369 million a year earlier. AutoNation’s adjusted SG&A expense was 68.2% of gross profit, improving from 69.8% in the first quarter but above 66.2% a year earlier.

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American Eagle’s Q1 Beat Leaves Investors With a Bigger QuestionChief Financial Officer Thomas Szlosek said the company expects SG&A as a percentage of gross profit to reach its 66% to 67% target range on a run-rate basis by year-end. He cited expected gross-profit improvement, productivity efforts including artificial intelligence applications, moderating advertising spending and portfolio actions as contributors.

After-Sales Sets Gross Profit Record After-sales remained AutoNation’s largest gross-profit contributor, producing a record $607 million in gross profit during the quarter. After-sales revenue rose to $1.26 billion from $1.22 billion a year earlier, with customer-pay revenue increasing 7% and wholesale parts revenue climbing 16%.

Gap Inc. Cuts Sales Outlook After Q1 Miss, Shares Drop 17%Customer-pay repair orders increased 5%, while warranty repair orders rose 8%. The gains offset lower internal repair activity, which AutoNation tied to its used-vehicle stocking mix and volume. Same-store after-sales gross profit increased 4%, while total after-sales gross profit rose 7%, according to CEO Michael Manley.

Szlosek said the after-sales gross margin was 48.1%, compared with 49% in the prior-year quarter, reflecting a greater mix of lower-margin wholesale parts sales. The company said recent commercial wins helped drive wholesale growth, as AutoNation moves toward managing products and brands through a more centralized supply-chain model.

Manley said the company views lower internal repair activity and changes in warranty mix as temporary rather than structural. He emphasized AutoNation’s efforts to improve customer retention and gain business from older vehicles that may otherwise be serviced by independent repair shops.

AutoNation increased same-store franchise technician headcount by more than 2% year over year. Management said technician hiring, retention, training and investments in service-facility layouts and tools are important to supporting mid-single-digit after-sales gross-profit growth.

Vehicle Margins Remain Stable as BEV Sales Decline New-vehicle unit sales totaled 63,240, down 4% from a year earlier. The decline was driven principally by lower battery-electric vehicle sales, which fell more than 30% year over year, according to Manley. Import sales increased 1%, while domestic sales declined 12% and premium-luxury sales fell 4%. Excluding the battery-electric vehicle effect, premium-luxury sales declined 1%.

New-vehicle gross profit per unit was $2,381, compared with $2,785 a year earlier, reflecting higher vehicle costs. Management said new-vehicle profitability has remained within a relatively narrow range for four consecutive quarters. Inventory supply stood at 73 days for domestic vehicles, 66 days for luxury vehicles and 34 days for imports.

Used-vehicle gross profit per unit was $1,582, compared with $1,622 a year earlier. AutoNation said used-vehicle sales were constrained by a lower-than-desired mix of vehicles priced below $20,000, while units priced above $40,000 rose 10%. Revenue per used vehicle increased 8%, and management said profitability in the higher-priced category was more than double that of the rest of its used business.

The company internally sourced about 90% of its used-vehicle inventory and expects off-lease vehicle supply to increase meaningfully in the second half. Szlosek said certified pre-owned sales accounted for close to 20% of used sales during the first half, up from roughly 15% in the prior-year period.

Finance Business Scales and Cash Flow Supports Capital Returns Customer Financial Services gross profit was $358 million, down from $368 million a year ago as lower retail unit volume offset stronger per-unit results. CFS gross profit per vehicle increased about 3% to $2,799. AutoNation said roughly three-quarters of vehicle sales included a finance contract, and customers purchased an average of two products per vehicle.

AutoNation Finance generated a record $11 million of profit in the quarter, compared with $2 million a year earlier. Its portfolio grew 52% to $2.67 billion, while quarterly originations were $485 million. The captive finance business represented 11% of total vehicle sales and 18% of sales financed during the quarter. AutoNation also completed a roughly $550 million asset-backed securities transaction in June, bringing the portfolio to 91% debt-funded.

Adjusted free cash flow totaled more than $180 million in the quarter and $439 million in the first half, up 11% from the prior-year period. Through June, AutoNation deployed $900 million of capital, including $457 million for share repurchases, $317 million for acquisitions and $126 million in capital expenditures.

The acquisitions included Toyota of Newnan in Georgia and three premium-luxury stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. The acquired stores are expected to contribute approximately $600 million in annual revenue and about 9,700 new and used vehicle sales.

Looking ahead, Manley said the company expects adjusted EPS growth in the second half, supported by stable vehicle profitability, growth in after-sales and CFS, AutoNation Finance’s expansion and a lower share count. He said AutoNation expects customer-pay after-sales business to deliver continued mid-single-digit growth and plans to continue returning residual cash flow to shareholders while pursuing acquisitions that meet its return-on-invested-capital criteria.

About AutoNation (NYSE:AN)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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $6.9 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to the same period a year ago. Second quarter

AutoNation (AN - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $5.56 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.43 per share. This compares to earnings of $5.46 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.39%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this auto retailer would post earnings of $4.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.69, delivering a surprise of -0.42%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

AutoNation, which belongs to the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales industry, posted revenues of $6.93 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.52%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $6.97 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

AutoNation shares have added about 4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%.

What's Next for AutoNation?While AutoNation has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for AutoNation was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $5.62 on $7.17 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $21.41 on $27.95 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Automotive - Retail and Whole Sales is currently in the bottom 22% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Titan Machinery (TITN - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026.

This agriculture and construction equipment seller is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.33 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -26.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Titan Machinery's revenues are expected to be $489.03 million, down 10.5% from the year-ago quarter.

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) will release its second quarter earnings report before the opening bell on Friday, July 31.

Analysts expect the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings of $5.46 per share, compared to $5.46 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for AutoNation’s quarterly revenue is $7 billion. It reported $6.97 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.

On June 23, AutoNation acquired three premium luxury dealerships in San Francisco.

Shares of AutoNation fell 6.7% to close at $214.65 on Thursday.

Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.

Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.

Considering buying AN stock? Here’s what analysts think:

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To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: AutoNation (AN - Free Report) AutoNation, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. In addition to retailing new and used vehicles, the company provides maintenance and repair services, collision repair, wholesale parts, and a range of finance and insurance products. AutoNation also arranges vehicle financing through third-party sources and provides indirect financing through its captive auto finance company.

AN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. AN has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 0% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.12 to $21.35 per share. AN boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, AN should be on investors' short list.

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HARDEEVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, announced the opening of Porsche Hilton Head, a newly constructed retail and service center designed to deliver the full Porsche luxury experience to customers and enthusiasts across Hilton Head Island, the greater Savannah area, and the wider Lowcountry.

Located at 84 Auto Mall Boulevard in Hardeeville, the two-floor, 34,000-square-foot facility is one of a select number of U.S. dealerships built to Porsche’s Generation 5 “Destination Porsche” standard. The design features a light-filled showroom, customer lounge, Porscheplatz Café, dedicated Porsche 4Kids space and service viewing areas that reflect Porsche’s focus on performance, design and hospitality. The Fitting Lounge further enhances the experience, offering customers the ability to personalize their Porsche through a wide range of bespoke options.

The dealership is located within one of the fastest-growing regions in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, driven by sustained population growth and continued regional development. “Porsche Hilton Head redefines what customers can expect from a luxury automotive retail experience,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer at AutoNation. “The new facility reflects our commitment to the Lowcountry and our continued investment in high-growth markets where we cater to an evolving customer base that is looking for an experience-driven environment.”

During the evening’s celebrations, guests experienced the “Destination Porsche” ethos firsthand through curated vehicle displays, coastal-inspired culinary stations, live entertainment and remarks from AutoNation and Porsche Cars North America leadership.

Porsche Hilton Head will serve as a destination for new and pre-owned Porsche models, expert service and curated community events that celebrate the Porsche lifestyle and a vibrant enthusiast community in the Hilton Head region. The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information or to schedule a test drive, visit hiltonhead.porsche.com.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

More News From AutoNation, Inc.

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, today announced the acquisition of three premium luxury dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area, effective June 22, 2026. The acquired stores are Audi Fremont, Mercedes-Benz of Fremont, and Porsche Fremont. Together, the stores represent approximately $400 million in annual revenue and 4,800 retail new and used vehicle annual sales per year.

AutoNation’s footprint expands in California, the largest auto retail market in the U.S., to 46 locations, including 21 Premium Luxury stores, 7 Domestic stores, 16 Import stores, a collision center, and an auction center. Nationwide, AutoNation now operates 25 Mercedes-Benz, 11 Audi, and 8 Porsche stores.

“This acquisition strengthens our Premium Luxury portfolio in a highly attractive California market and reflects our disciplined approach to deploying capital into high-quality assets,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer. “Over the past 12 months, including our Baltimore, Chicago, and Atlanta area acquisitions, we have added approximately $1 billion in annual revenue, enhancing our scale, supporting long-term growth, and positioning us to deliver attractive returns for shareholders.”

AutoNation remains focused on disciplined capital allocation, balancing strategic acquisitions that expand scale in attractive markets with share repurchases that return capital to shareholders. AutoNation has invested approximately $450 million year-to-date to repurchase more than 2.2 million shares, reducing shares outstanding by more than 6 percent.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

More News From AutoNation, Inc.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Presidio Group LLC (“Presidio”), an independent merchant banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investments in the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors, exclusively advised Fletcher Jones Automotive Group (“Fletcher Jones”) on the sale of Fletcher Jones Motorcars (Mercedes-Benz) of Fremont, Audi Fremont and Porsche Fremont in Fremont, Calif., and their related real estate, to AutoNation Inc. (“AutoNation”) (“NYSE: AN”). The transaction closed June 22.

"Demand remains strong for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche stores as buyers look to expand in key markets.” — George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group

Share This Northern California divestiture comes on the heels of Fletcher Jones’ March acquisition of Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, which bolstered the dealership group’s already-significant Southern California footprint and was also facilitated by The Presidio Group. With the moves, Fletcher Jones continues to align its dealership portfolio with its long-term strategic goals.

“When we decided to sell these stores as part of our regimented portfolio management initiatives, we set out to find a buyer that would provide the right level of care for the dealerships and their employees and customers,” said Keith May, president of Fletcher Jones Automotive Group. “Having sold two stores to AutoNation in 2025, we had strong confidence in its ability to represent these great luxury brands. This is our third transaction with Presidio, our trusted partner, in less than a year, and their team delivered once again, with their utmost professionalism and expertise ensuring another smooth close.”

For AutoNation, one of the largest dealership groups in the U.S., the acquisition builds on its existing presence in Northern California with a focus on premium brands.

“This acquisition strengthens our premium luxury portfolio in a highly attractive California market and reflects our disciplined approach to deploying capital into high-quality assets,” AutoNation CEO Mike Manley said.

Presidio is among the most active of the industry’s top buy-sell firms when it comes to the sale of luxury-brand dealerships and locations in California. The firm has advised on more than 130 transactions involving luxury franchises, nearly 42% of its all-time deal activity. With this sale, Presidio also has advised on transactions involving 44 California dealerships.

“We were honored to represent Fletcher Jones, one of the most iconic luxury dealership groups in the country, in this sale,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “Their trust in the Presidio team and confidence in our ability to forge relationships with the industry’s biggest and best retailers like AutoNation is truly gratifying. With our track record, including transactions involving 24 Mercedes-Benz dealerships, Presidio is proud of the deep expertise we’ve developed in high-end, luxury automotive M&A.”

This transaction also demonstrates how ongoing portfolio management activity is creating meaningful opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

“Disciplined portfolio management continues to bring well-positioned luxury assets to market,” Karolis said. “Those assets are drawing intense interest from the largest and most sophisticated buyers, particularly in California, one of the most competitive markets in the country. Demand remains strong for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche stores as buyers look to expand in key markets.”

The Presidio Group provided exclusive M&A advisory services to Fletcher Jones Automotive Group through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC.

About Fletcher Jones Automotive Group

Since 1946, Fletcher Jones Automotive Group has been a luxury automotive retail standard bearer in the U.S. Founded by Fletcher Jones Sr. with a single store in downtown Los Angeles, the group has grown over the past 80 years into one of the most respected and renowned luxury dealership groups in the country. Home to the nation’s No. 1 Mercedes-Benz and Audi locations, Fletcher Jones has become synonymous with 5-star service, top-of-the-line quality and an unwavering commitment to customers. The group offers a comprehensive suite of services, including new and used vehicle sales, expert financing and leasing, service and maintenance, parts and electric vehicle expertise. To learn more, visit www.fletcherjones.com.

About AutoNation Inc.

AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our associates, customers and the communities we serve. Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the company, its business and its results of operations.

About The Presidio Group LLC

The Presidio Group was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of its clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 320 transactions for over $22.0 billion. The Presidio Group, based in Denver and Atlanta, publishes research, industry insights and data reports about the automotive retail landscape. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information on Presidio, visit www.thepresidiogroup.com.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 6th, 2026

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC trimmed its position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 12.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 58,698 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,633 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.16% of AutoNation worth $12,120,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in AutoNation by 260.2% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 333,975 shares of the company’s stock valued at $73,064,000 after buying an additional 241,265 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 219.6% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 316,923 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,957,000 after acquiring an additional 217,774 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 51.8% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 631,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $125,439,000 after acquiring an additional 215,577 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,601,000. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 38.3% in the 3rd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 548,677 shares of the company’s stock valued at $120,034,000 after purchasing an additional 151,966 shares during the last quarter. 94.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoNation Stock Down 0.0% NYSE:AN opened at $197.61 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $198.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $205.91. AutoNation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.33 and a 1-year high of $228.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.58 and a beta of 0.81.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.91 by $0.17. AutoNation had a net margin of 2.35% and a return on equity of 31.69%. The company had revenue of $6.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.97 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of AutoNation from $222.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Stephens upped their target price on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoNation has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $248.67.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AN

About AutoNation (Free Report)

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.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than AutoNation Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report).

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~ April is National Car Care Month ~

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During National Car Care Month in April, the experts at AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) are urging drivers to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance, a move that can improve safety, boost fuel efficiency and reduce long-term repair costs.

“Preventive maintenance remains one of the smartest financial and safety decisions a vehicle owner can make,” said Christian Treiber, AutoNation’s President of After-Sales. “Small maintenance steps taken now can help drivers prevent larger, more expensive problems down the road. In addition, a vehicle that’s never missed an oil change and has a documented maintenance history might bring an owner as much as 10% higher trade-in value.”

AutoNation’s service experts recommend the following tips during National Car Care Month:

Check tire pressure and tread. Warmer temperatures are on the way and can affect tire pressure. Drivers should check tire pressure monthly and inspect tread depth before spring road trips. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, saving up to 11 cents per gallon, extend tire life by 4,700 miles, and enhance safety.

Inspect brakes and address warning signs early. Drivers shouldn’t wait for squealing, grinding or vibration during braking, all possible signs of wear and tear that can lead to costly repairs. Brake wear depends heavily on driving habits, and most manufacturers don’t list a fixed mileage for brake pad replacement. Instead, routine brake inspections are recommended at every tire rotation or oil change to determine when these should be replaced to avoid major service bills and minimize safety risks.

Test the battery before summer heat. High temperatures strain aging batteries. Testing batteries in April can help drivers avoid getting stranded when summer heat peaks. Most batteries last three to five years.

Replace wiper blades and inspect lights. Spring showers demand clear visibility. Drivers should replace worn wiper blades and confirm that headlights, brake lights and turn signals function properly.

Top off and replace essential fluids. Checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid helps vehicles run efficiently and prevents wear on major systems that could lead to expensive fixes.

Replace air filters to improve efficiency. Maintaining a clean engine air filter can improve fuel efficiency and engine performance. Even small improvements in efficiency contribute to fuel savings over time.

Schedule a checkup. Factory-trained technicians will inspect the battery, tires, antifreeze, brakes, and headlights. At AutoNation, complimentary multi-point inspections include a vehicle status report, tire pressure adjustment, and fluid top-off.

AutoNation’s service experts also encourage drivers to review their owner’s manual for recommended service intervals.

“National Car Care Month serves as an important reminder that routine maintenance protects drivers’ safety and their budgets,” said Treiber.

AutoNation hosts complimentary Car Care Clinics at select stores, along with a variety of community-focused events year-round, reinforcing its commitment to supporting families and promoting safe driving practices nationwide. For information or to register to attend an upcoming AutoNation Car Care Clinic, visit https://tinyurl.com/FBAutoNationCarCareClinic .

For locations or to book a service, visit AutoNation.com.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

More News From AutoNation, Inc.

Back to Newsroom

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 12th, 2026

Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC reduced its stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report) by 80.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,237 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,169 shares during the period. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in AutoNation were worth $255,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. HM Payson & Co. bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 355.3% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 173 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AutoNation by 37.4% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 94.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AN shares. Bank of America started coverage on AutoNation in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut AutoNation from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Stephens lifted their price target on AutoNation from $228.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Barclays cut their price target on AutoNation from $245.00 to $240.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on AutoNation from $233.00 to $238.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $246.89.

View Our Latest Research Report on AutoNation

AutoNation Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AN opened at $200.47 on Friday. AutoNation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $155.29 and a 12 month high of $228.92. The stock has a market cap of $6.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 0.81. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $196.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $205.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.22.

AutoNation (NYSE:AN – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $5.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.91 by $0.17. AutoNation had a return on equity of 31.69% and a net margin of 2.35%.The firm had revenue of $6.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.21 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.97 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that AutoNation, Inc. will post 18.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About AutoNation (Free Report)

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.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than AutoNation Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for AutoNation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoNation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

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