What is the rating for AN stock?

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) has a "Hold" rating based on our 6-factor quantitative model. It has a composite score of 50.4 and ranks #1948 out of 7,333 stocks in our coverage universe with a 3-star rating.

Is AN a good stock to buy?

Based on our quantitative analysis, AN receives a "Hold" rating with 3 out of 5 stars. Key factors include: Quality score of 48.8, Value score of 64.2, and Momentum score of 57.6. The timing score is 54, indicating "Neutral" entry conditions. This is not investment advice - please conduct your own research.

What sector is AN in?

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) operates in the Retail Trade sector, specifically in the Retail industry. It has a market capitalization of $8.25 billion.

What is AN's P/E ratio?

AN has a P/E (Price-to-Earnings) ratio of 10.55x. This helps investors assess whether the stock is trading at a premium or discount relative to its earnings.

Does AN pay a dividend?

AN does not currently pay a dividend.

What is AN's market cap?

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) has a market capitalization of $8.25 billion, making it a mid-cap stock.

What are the risks of investing in AN?

Key risk factors for AN include: elevated debt levels, and general market risk. As with all investments, there is risk of loss.

How does AN compare to peers?

Within the Retail Trade sector, AN ranks #1948 overall with a quality score of 48.8/100 and value score of 64.2/100.

What is AN's revenue growth?

AN has revenue growth of 8.6% year-over-year.

What is AN's composite score?

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) has a composite score of 50.4/100, which places it at rank #1948 out of 7,333 stocks. This score is derived from our proprietary 6-factor quantitative model that evaluates quality, value, momentum, investment efficiency, stability, and short interest.

How does AN compare to the S&P 500?

AN ranks in the top 73% of all stocks in our coverage universe with a composite score of 50.4.

What are the bull and bear cases for AN?

Bull case: AN scores highest in stability at 74.3/100, indicating strong performance in this area. Bear case: The weakest factor is investment efficiency at 24.2/100, which may present a risk. Our overall assessment is Hold with 3 out of 5 stars.

Is AN overvalued or undervalued?

AN appears fairly valued with a value factor score of 64.2/100.

What is AN's momentum score?

AN has a momentum score of 57.6/100, placing it in the moderate category.

When is AN's next earnings date?

For the latest earnings date and analysis for AN, visit our earnings calendar or check the AN stock page for real-time updates. Our AI-generated earnings reports provide in-depth analysis after each quarterly report.

Is AN a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our 6-factor quantitative model, AUTONATION, INC. (AN) receives a "Hold" rating with a composite score of 50.4/100. It is ranked #1948 out of 7,333 stocks. Key factor scores: Quality 49/100, Value 64/100, Momentum 58/100. The timing signal is "Neutral". This is quantitative analysis only — not investment advice.

What is the stock rating for AN?

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) has a "Hold" rating and 3-star score. The composite score of 50.4 ranks it #1948 among 7,333 U.S. stocks. Ratings are updated weekly using academically-proven factor models.

What sector is AN in?

AUTONATION, INC. operates in the Retail Trade sector (Retail industry) with a market cap of $8.25 billion. It is classified as a mid-cap stock.

Does AN pay a dividend?

AN does not currently pay a regular dividend. The company may be reinvesting profits for growth.

What is AN's P/E ratio?

AN has a trailing P/E ratio of 10.55x. The Retail Trade sector average is 21.4x. This below-average P/E may indicate the stock is undervalued.

How profitable is AN?

AN's quality factor score is 49/100. Gross margin: 18.0%. ROE: 28.3% vs sector average 9.6%. Margins are moderate to low, reflecting competitive market dynamics.

How is AN valued compared to peers?

AN's value factor score is 64/100 (higher = cheaper). Key multiples: P/E 10.6x, EV/EBITDA 5.2x. The stock appears attractively valued versus peers.

What is AN's debt level?

AN's debt-to-equity ratio is 515%. Sector average: 1%. Elevated leverage increases credit risk.

AN has a beta of 0.95, meaning it tracks the market. Stability score: 74/100.

Does AN have high short interest?

AN's short interest factor score is 45/100 (higher = less short selling). Elevated short interest may indicate bearish sentiment or short squeeze potential.

AN Stock Analysis — AUTONATION, INC. Price Target & Forecast 2026

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Blank Capital Research ("BCR") is a technology platform, not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer. The algorithmically generated signals, scores, and rankings provided on this site ("God Mode" Signals) are for informational and research purposes only and do not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy any securities.

HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS: The "timing scores" and "regime signals" displayed are based on quantitative models. Hypothetical or simulated performance results have certain inherent limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, since the trades have not actually been executed, the results may have under-or-over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity.

RISK OF LOSS: Trading in financial markets involves a high degree of risk and may result in the loss of your entire investment. Data provided by third-party sources (Intrinio, Snowflake) is believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

AN Stock Analysis — AUTONATION, INC. Price Target & Forecast 2026 | Blank Capital Research

Sector

Retail Trade

Industry

Retail

Market Cap

$8.2B

Leadership

Michael M. Manley

Business Summary

AutoNation, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. As of December 31, 2021, it owned and operated 339 new vehicle franchises from 247 stores. Automotive finance and insurance products comprise vehicle services and other protection products.

Operations

Headcount

23.6K

Location

HQ Base

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida

Investor Relations

Fundamental Spot Check

Context: 2025

Valuation

Market Cap

$8.2B

P/E Ratio

10.6xOutperforming

P/B Ratio

2.99xLagging

P/S Ratio

0.26xOutperforming

EV/EBITDA

5.2xOutperforming

Dividend Yield

0.00%

Efficiency & Risk

Gross Margin

18.0%Lagging

Operating Margin

4.7%Outperforming

ROE

28.3%Outperforming

Rev Growth (YoY)

8.6%

Debt/Equity

515.00xLagging

Beta

0.95

Red = Sector Laggard

Black = Market Average

Revenue Breakdown

Strategic Timing Audit

CAUTION

2/6

Mixed Alignment [2 BULL / 1 BEAR]

Quantitative Factor Convergence Analysis Verified

Momentum

58th pctl

Intelligence Feed

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., February 18, 2026--Haig Partners LLC, a leading buy-sell advisory firm to auto retailers, served as the exclusive buy-side advisor to E1T1 Automotive Group on its acquisition of Audi Gainesville from Warren Henry Automotive Group. Audi Gainesville is located in a rapidly growing area of Florida.

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Earnings Call Transcripts

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Financial Intelligence Ledger

Verified SEC Filings Aggregate • AN

Export

Metric Entity	10Y Historical Trend	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
Revenue		$27.6B3.3%	$26.8B0.7%	$26.9B0.1%	$27.0B4.4%	$25.8B26.7%	$20.4B4.4%	$21.3B0.4%	$21.4B0.6%	$21.5B0.3%	$21.6B
Cost of Revenue		$22.7B3.2%	$22.0B0.7%	$21.8B0.4%	$21.7B4.0%	$20.9B24.2%	$16.8B5.6%	$17.8B1.1%	$18.0B0.9%	$18.2B0.7%	$18.3B
Gross Profit		$4.9B3.4%	$4.8B6.7%	$5.1B2.5%	$5.3B6.3%	$5.0B38.9%	$3.6B1.2%	$3.5B3.7%	$3.4B1.1%	$3.4B1.4%	$3.3B
R&D Expense	-	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Operating Expenses		$3.7B6.6%	$3.5B0.0%	$3.5B7.4%	$3.2B6.3%	$3.0B1.6%	$3.0B11.3%	$2.7B3.1%	$2.6B4.1%	$2.5B3.8%	$2.4B
Operating Income		$1.2B5.0%	$1.3B21.0%	$1.7B18.4%	$2.0B6.4%	$1.9B237.9%	$563M31.6%	$824M5.9%	$778M7.8%	$843M5.2%	$890M
Interest Expense		—	$399M	—	—	—	$158M35.7%	$245M1.9%	$250M15.0%	$217M13.1%	$192M
Tax Provision		$235M4.9%	$225M32.0%	$330M27.6%	$456M4.8%	$435M158.5%	$168M4.0%	$162M21.2%	$134M33.7%	$202M25.5%	$271M
EBITDA		$1.2B20.8%	$1.6B5.3%	$1.7B18.4%	$2.0B6.4%	$1.9B108.8%	$911M12.7%	$1.0B9.9%	$950M6.6%	$1.0B2.4%	$1.0B
Net Income		$649M6.2%	$692M32.2%	$1.0B25.9%	$1.4B0.3%	$1.4B259.8%	$382M15.2%	$450M13.6%	$396M8.9%	$435M1.0%	$431M
EPS (Diluted)		$17.261.0%	$17.0925.3%	$22.896.5%	$24.4732.3%	$18.50328.2%	$4.3213.4%	$4.9914.4%	$4.361.8%	$4.446.2%	$4.18

SEC EDGAR Repository

Direct unfiltered access to 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filings for AN.

Open Regulatory Dossier

Data Integrity Notice

Figures adjusted for stock splits and restatements where applicable.

TTM (Trailing Twelve Months) data updates within 48 hours of quarterly filings.

Execution Benchmarks Audit

Revenue Growth

YOY expansion rate

+132% SCTR

8.6%

Sector Avg: 3.7%

Gross Margin

Core pricing power

-52% SCTR

18.0%

Sector Avg: 37.3%

Operating Margin

Operating efficiency

+8% SCTR

4.7%

Sector Avg: 4.4%

Return on Equity

Equity efficiency

+195% SCTR

28.3%

Sector Avg: 9.6%

Debt/Equity

Financial leverage

-79131% SCTR

515.0%

Sector Avg: 0.7%

Dividend Yield

Direct cash return

-NaN% SCTR

0.0%

Sector Avg: 0.0%

Financial History

Forensic Accounting Audit

Audit Required

Asset Efficiencymedium RISK

Material decline in asset turnover efficiency detected

Margin Integritymedium RISK

High margin volatility — erratic forensic earnings quality

Algorithmic red flag detection based on regulatory SEC filings.

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Shareholder Returns

Capital Allocation audit

Smart Money Conviction

Neutral

Synthesized from recent 13F filings, Form 4 insider transactions, and outstanding short interest metrics.

Governance Audit

Weak Index

WeakModerateStrong

Lower quality and stability scores may indicate governance concerns. Verified against factor-based integrity benchmarks.

Executive Operations

CEO: Michael M. Manley

Insider alignment Audit

No recent insider transactions available for AN

Major Institutional Blocks

Top 5 Holders

Institutional cap table data requires verified 13F filing feeds.

Access SEC 13F Dossier →

Form 4 Filings

Recent Activity

Insider transaction data currently awaiting regulatory verification.

Access SEC Form 4 Dossier →

Regulatory Disclosure Vault

Proxy Statement (DEF 14A)

Exec Comp, Board Nominees, Proposals

Annual Report (10-K)

MD&A, Risk Factors, Strategy

Institutional Holders (13F)

Loading institutional data...

Insider Liquidity

Short Interest Trend

0.0% FLOAT SHORT

Float Short

0.00%

Days to Cover

2.92

Total Short

1.18M

Cycle \u0394

+7.9%

Settlement History (4 Periods)

Jun 25Aug 25

Audit: Regulatory FINRA Feed \u00B7 2025-08-15Access Short Volume Feed →

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Institutional Peer Matrix

Top Retail Trade Universe

Factor Alpha Dispersion: Value vs. Quality

Quadrant I: High Quality / Undervalued

Quadrant III: Low Quality / Expensive

X-AXIS: EV/EBITDA (LOWER = CHEAPER) | Y-AXIS: ROE (HIGHER = ELITE) | RED CIRCLE = AN ANALYSIS TARGET

Stock	Rating	Score▼	Quality	Value	Momentum	P/E	EV/EBITDA	ROE	ROA	Gross Mgn	Op Mgn	Net Mgn	Rev Growth	Div Yield	D/E	Mkt Cap	AUDIT
$ARCO Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.		73	85	89	65	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$0	VS
$IMKTA INGLES MARKETS INC		70	73	89	76	11.3x	4.1x	6.9%	4.1%	24.3%	2.8%	1.9%	-3.4%	1.1%	33.0x	$1.2B	VS
$SGU STAR GROUP, L.P.		69	82	79	63	-	-	-25.2%	-10.6%	28.1%	-6.3%	-5.4%	-7.8%	6.1%	57.0x	$396M	VS
$EZPW EZCORP INC		68	77	82	89	7.2x	4.2x	12.0%	6.2%	59.1%	11.6%	8.5%	10.5%	0.0%	52.0x	$764M	VS
$HTHT H World Group Ltd		68	91	44	84	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$0	VS
$DDL Dingdong (Cayman) Ltd		68	86	82	57	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$0	VS
$SBH Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.		68	83	92	77	5.1x	2.3x	32.0%	6.6%	51.5%	8.4%	4.9%	-1.0%	0.0%	178.0x	$934M	VS
$SPH SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS LP		67	80	90	53	-	13.0x	0.4%	-3.5%	61.7%	2.1%	-5.7%	2.2%	7.1%	190.0x	$1.2B	VS
$IHG INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC /NEW/		67	63	81	67	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$0	VS
$ROST ROSS STORES, INC.		67	63	55	83	25.2x	16.5x	34.8%	13.3%	28.0%	11.6%	9.1%	10.4%	1.0%	26.0x	$51.6B	VS
$AN AUTONATION, INC.		50	49	64	58	10.6x	5.2x	28.3%	4.6%	18.0%	4.7%	2.4%	8.6%	0.0%	515.0x	$8.2B
SECTOR BENCH	-	-	-	-	-	21.4x	9.1x	9.6%	3.6%	37.3%	4.4%	2.4%	3.7%	0.0%	0.7x	-	REF

Access Full Retail Trade Intelligence Archive →

Lateral Comparison Mesh

$AN / $ARCO AUDIT $AN / $IMKTA AUDIT $AN / $SGU AUDIT $AN / $EZPW AUDIT $AN / $HTHT AUDIT

Market Intelligence FAQ

AUTONATION, INC. (AN) receives a "Hold" rating with a composite score of 50.4/100. It ranks #1948 out of 7,333 stocks in our coverage universe and carries a 3-star rating. Ratings are driven by a 6-factor quantitative model measuring quality, value, momentum, investment, stability, and short interest.

Full Research Publication

Equity Research Analysis: AUTONATION, INC. (AN)

FEBRUARY 2026|Blank Capital Research Unit|Spot: $197.98

Price$197.98

Composite Score50.4/100

RatingHOLD (3★)

Rank#1948 OF 7,333

Market Cap$8.2B

Comments

Institutional Audit

Feb 25, 2026

AUTONATION, INC.

50.4

Sector Decomposition auditRetail Trade [N=236]

Factor	Global	Sector	Tilt
PROFITABILITY	49	57	-8DRAG
MOMENTUM	58	59	-1NEUTRAL
VALUATION	64	71	-7DRAG
INVESTMENT	24	11	+13ALPHA
STABILITY	74	80	-6DRAG
SHORT INT	45	46	-1NEUTRAL

Global = full universe. Sector = relative to industry peers. Positive tilt indicates idiosyncratic strength.

Executive Summary

Our model assigns AUTONATION, INC. a Hold rating, with a composite score of 50.4/100 and 3 out of 5 stars. Ranked #1948 of 7,333 stocks, AN presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to initiate new positions nor weak enough to warrant selling. Investors already holding may consider maintaining their position while monitoring for changes in the factor profile.

Business Quality

With a quality score of 49/100, AN shows adequate but unremarkable business quality. The company reports a return on equity of 28.3% (sector avg: 9.6%), gross margins of 18.0% (sector avg: 37.3%), net margins of 2.4% (sector avg: 2.4%). This suggests the company generates acceptable returns but may lack the competitive positioning or operational efficiency to stand out from peers.

Intrinsic Valuation

AN's value score of 64/100 indicates the stock is fairly valued based on its current fundamentals. Key valuation metrics include a P/E ratio of 10.55x, an EV/EBITDA of 5.18x, a P/B ratio of 2.99x. At this level, neither a clear bargain nor overpriced, the stock's attractiveness depends more on forward growth expectations and qualitative factors.

Capital Reinvestment

AUTONATION, INC.'s investment score of 24/100 suggests limited reinvestment activity. Key growth metrics include revenue growth of 8.6% vs. a sector average of 3.7% and a return on assets of 4.6% (sector: 3.6%). While this can be positive for mature, cash-generative businesses returning capital to shareholders, it may also signal a lack of growth opportunities or management conservatism.

Market Momentum

AN demonstrates moderate momentum with a score of 58/100, suggesting a neutral price trend without strong directional conviction. Revenue growth stands at 8.6% year-over-year, while a beta of 0.95 reflects its sensitivity to broader market moves. Moderate momentum may indicate the stock is consolidating or transitioning between trends, warranting close monitoring of upcoming catalysts.

Balance Sheet Health

AN shows good financial stability with a score of 74/100. Key stability metrics include a beta of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 515.00x (sector avg: 0.7x). This suggests manageable leverage and moderate price volatility, making it appropriate for investors seeking a balance between growth potential and capital preservation.

Institutional Risk Profile

The short interest score of 45/100 for AN suggests somewhat elevated bearish positioning by institutional traders. Specific risk factors include elevated leverage (D/E: 515.00x). With a $8.2B market cap (mid-cap), AUTONATION, INC. may experience above-average volatility. Investors should consider whether the short thesis has merit or if it creates a potential short-squeeze opportunity.

Sector Benchmark Analysis

AUTONATION, INC. is a mid-cap company in the Retail Trade sector, ranked #0 of 50 in its sector (100th percentile) and #1948 of 7,333 overall (73rd percentile). Key comparisons include ROE of 28.3% exceeding the 9.6% sector median and operating margins of 4.7% above the 4.4% sector average. This top-quartile standing reflects exceptional competitive strength relative to Retail Trade peers.

Comparative Research Mesh

AN VS S&P 500 (SPY)TOP RETAIL TRADE PEERS

Strategic Alternatives

While AN currently exhibits a HOLD profile, superior opportunities exist within the RETAIL TRADE sector. Our model identifies several "Strong Buy" candidates with higher quality scores and more attractive valuations among direct industry competitors.

View Top Retail Trade Alpha →

AN

AUTONATION, INC.

Business Summary

Operations

Location

Fundamental Spot Check

Valuation

Efficiency & Risk

Intelligence Feed

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Lateral Comparison Mesh

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SEC Risk Factors

Economic Moat Audit

Economic Value Creation

Margin Superiority

Reinvestment Efficiency

Growth Durability

Financial Resilience

Uncertainty Audit

BEAR THESIS

01Executive Summary

02Strategy & Outlook

Risk / Reward Variance

Research Verdict

Related Stocks

Executive Summary

Business Quality

Intrinsic Valuation

Capital Reinvestment

Market Momentum

Balance Sheet Health

Institutional Risk Profile

Sector Benchmark Analysis

Comparative Research Mesh

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Factor Dispersion Audit

Sector Variance Findings

Market Intel

Intelligence Feed

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