AutoNation: Insider and Institutional Investor Stock Sales in Third Quarter

Insiders are generally long-term investors due to restriction in making short-term profits. In contrast, wealth management institutions always have short-term investment. Wall St. Watchdog reveals information regarding the insiders and institutions which recently decreased stock shares of AutoNation Inc. (NYSE:AN).

SEC data indicate these insiders have sold AutoNation Inc.��s stock since 06/30/2011:

• Lampert Edward S: act as 10% Owner. On 10/28/2011, sold 1,222,456 shares, worth $49,203,900.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio: act as (See Footnote 5). On 11/10/2011, sold 914,898 shares, worth $30,987,600.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio: act as (See Footnote 3). On 11/08/2011, sold 833,020 shares, worth $29,788,800.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio: act as (See Footnote 2). On 11/04/2011, sold 617,833 shares, worth $22,594,200.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio: act as (See Footnote 3). On 11/03/2011, sold 594,396 shares, worth $22,176,900.

SEC data indicate that these institutions significantly reduced their stock shares of AutoNation Inc. in Q3 2011:

• VALINOR MANAGEMENT, LLC: On 06/30/2011, held 125,000 shares, worth $4,097,500. On 09/30/2011, held 0 shares.
• PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO: On 06/30/2011, held 54,529 shares, worth $1,787,461. On 09/30/2011, held 0 shares.
• HANSEATIC MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC: On 06/30/2011, held 38,170 shares, worth $1,251,213. On 09/30/2011, held 0 shares.
• JEFFERIES GROUP INC /DE/: On 06/30/2011, held 37,039 shares, worth $1,214,138. On 09/30/2011, held 0 shares.
• TEXAS PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND: On 06/30/2011, held 31,511 shares, worth $1,032,931. On 09/30/2011, held 0 shares.

About the company: AutoNation, Inc. retails, finances, and services new and used vehicles. T! he Compa ny also provides other related services and products, such as the sale of parts and accessories, extended service contracts, aftermarket automotive products, and collision repair services. AutoNation operates throughout the United States.

Competitors to Watch:?Group one Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI), Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG), Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH), Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG), Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT), CarMax, Inc (NYSE:KMX), Lentuo Intl. Inc (ADR) (NYSE:LAS), Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD), AutoChina Intl. Ltd. (NASDAQ:AUTC), General Motors (NYSE:GM), Toyota (NYSE:T), Ford (NYSE:F), CarMax (NYSE:KMX), AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) and America��s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRMT).