AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by equities researchers at Raymond James Financial from $4,000.00 to $3,700.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “strong-buy” rating on the stock. Raymond James Financial’s price target suggests a potential upside of 27.98% from the company’s current price.
A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on AZO. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,345.00 to $4,096.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Guggenheim dropped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $3,750.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,850.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,150.00 to $3,500.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their price target on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,750.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3,788.12.
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AutoZone Stock Performance
AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, September 22nd. The company reported $56.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $55.51. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 80.35% and a net margin of 12.40%.The business had revenue of $6.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.70 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $48.71 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AutoZone will post 150.61 EPS for the current year.
AutoZone declared that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to buy up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.
Insider Activity at AutoZone
In other news, VP Dennis LeRiche sold 1,455 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total value of $4,510,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 441 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,367,100. This represents a 76.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoZone
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of AutoZone during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,938,566,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $939,205,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in AutoZone in the second quarter worth $572,885,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in AutoZone by 11,577.6% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 141,066 shares of the company’s stock worth $450,838,000 after purchasing an additional 139,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LP acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter worth $38,604,000. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.
More AutoZone News
Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Profit significantly exceeded expectations: AutoZone reported fiscal fourth-quarter diluted EPS of $56.05, up from $48.71 a year earlier and above analyst estimates of roughly $54.50. Net income rose to $931.6 million, while operating profit increased 10.1% to approximately $1.3 billion. AutoZone fourth-quarter results
- Positive Sentiment: Expansion and market-share gains support the outlook: Quarterly sales increased 5.6% to $6.59 billion, AutoZone opened 175 stores, and management said it is well positioned for fiscal 2027 sales growth. International same-store sales were particularly strong, and analysts highlighted the company’s expanding global store network as a source of future growth. Why AutoZone stock rallied
- Positive Sentiment: Margin gains and capital returns helped investor sentiment: Gross margin improved to 53.3%, aided by tariff refunds and a favorable LIFO comparison. AutoZone also repurchased about $697.5 million of stock during the quarter, supporting per-share earnings.
- Neutral Sentiment: Revenue and comparable-store growth were mixed: Quarterly revenue fell short of forecasts, while domestic same-store sales rose only 1.6% on a constant-currency basis. The earnings beat therefore depended partly on margin benefits that may not recur.
- Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrade remains an overhang: AutoZone reached a new 12-month low following an analyst downgrade before the earnings-driven rebound, reflecting concerns about slowing comparable sales and the sustainability of recent earnings growth. AutoZone reaches new 12-month low
AutoZone Company Profile
AutoZone, Inc is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts, accessories, and maintenance products. The company serves do-it-yourself customers, professional service technicians, and commercial repair businesses through its stores, distribution network, and online platform.
Its product offerings include replacement parts such as batteries, brakes, engine components, and ignition products, along with tools, fluids, filters, and other automotive accessories. AutoZone also provides services such as parts lookup, diagnostic assistance, battery testing and charging, and loaner tools for eligible repairs.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, AutoZone operates primarily in the United States, with additional locations in Mexico and Brazil.
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