AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of "Buy" from the eighteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $3,182.33.
A number of analysts recently commented on AZO shares. StockNews.com cut shares of AutoZone from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, September 21st. Redburn Atlantic upgraded AutoZone to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on AutoZone from $3,038.00 to $3,125.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on AutoZone from $3,300.00 to $3,350.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on AutoZone from $3,340.00 to $3,500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th.
View Our Latest Analysis on AZO
AutoZone stock opened at $3,129.78 on Friday. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $3,131.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3,009.65. AutoZone has a 12 month low of $2,375.35 and a 12 month high of $3,256.37. The company has a market cap of $53.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.91, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.70.
AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 24th. The company reported $48.11 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $53.31 by ($5.20). AutoZone had a net margin of 14.40% and a negative return on equity of 52.99%. The firm had revenue of $6.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $46.46 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AutoZone will post 157.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
In related news, VP John Scott Murphy sold 1,580 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,107.69, for a total value of $4,910,150.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,218 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,785,166.42. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other AutoZone news, VP John Scott Murphy sold 1,580 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,107.69, for a total transaction of $4,910,150.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,218 shares in the company, valued at $3,785,166.42. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman William C. Rhodes III sold 13,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,107.15, for a total value of $40,392,950.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 13,857 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $43,055,777.55. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 14,880 shares of company stock valued at $46,225,660. Insiders own 2.50% of the company's stock.
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in AutoZone in the first quarter worth about $32,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 50.0% during the second quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 15 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares in the last quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the second quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC bought a new position in AutoZone in the second quarter worth approximately $50,000. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company's stock.
AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.
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