AutoNation Inc, the largest U.S. auto dealership group, raised its first-quarter earnings forecast on Tuesday and left revenue and other outlooks intact, sending its shares up nearly 3 percent.

AutoNation said it now expects earnings from continuing operations of 32 to 35 cents per share, up from its prior forecast for earnings of 29 to 32 cents per share.

Analysts on average have expected AutoNation to report earnings of 31 cents per share on that basis, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Shares of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based AutoNation were trading at $18.54 per share, up 2.8 percent.

AutoNation will issue its first-quarter earnings on April 22.

(Reporting by Bernie Woodall, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

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