Edward Lampert Further Trimms Stake in AutoNation, Inc. (AN)

Edward Lampert and ESL Investments have sold some more shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN). According to SEC filings, ESL has reduced its holding in the company down to some 30.5 million shares, via selling around 517,900 units of common stock. The securities have been disposed in 10 transactions, with a total value of close to $26 million.

ESL INVESTMENTS

In addition to ESL, AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) saw activity by Murray Stahl’s Horizon Asset Management to the tune of 6 million shares valued at $317,057. Other activities which have increased their stake in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) is Daniel. S. Och‘s Oz Management of 3.3 million  shares valued at $171,219. James Crichton and Adam Weiss’ Scout Capital Management too has seen action of 2,200,000 shares valued at $114,774. Interestingly, Micheal Larson’s Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust had 1.9 million shares valued at $99.056, but has not been active since.

In November, AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) had a very successful sales month, showing a 13% increase in its year-over-year comparison on new vehicle sales. Noticeably, the auto retailer notched good sales in all its segments, like same-store sales of 24,320 units; Domestic segment sales of 7,409. Interestingly, Auto Nation was in direct competition with Ford Motors, Chrysler and major names in this division. In the imported vehicle segment, AutoNation recorded good sales at 12,316 vehicles. In the premium Luxury section, AutoNation had a good run with 5,909 vehicles being sold.

Edward Lampert is one of the major shareholders in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN), one of the largest auto retailers in the US.  The company has a market capital of $6.1 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.80, and a return of 27.6% since the beginning of the year.

Disclosure: none

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