Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Over the past month, shares of this auto parts retailer have returned -4.6%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry, which AutoZone falls in, has lost 2.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, AutoZone is expected to post earnings of $54.97 per share, indicating a change of +12.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $150.98 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +4.2%. This estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $175.47 indicates a change of +16.2% from what AutoZone is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.1%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for AutoZone.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

For AutoZone, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.71 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +7.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $20.48 billion and $22.02 billion estimates indicate +8.1% and +7.5% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAutoZone reported revenues of $4.84 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +8.4%. EPS of $38.07 for the same period compares with $35.36 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.86 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.45%. The EPS surprise was +5.22%.

Over the last four quarters, AutoZone surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

AutoZone is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about AutoZone. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?

Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) .

AutoZone currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.39, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 27 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.39 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 27 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 21 are Strong Buy and one is Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 77.8% and 3.7% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for AZO

Check price target & stock forecast for AutoZone here>>>

While the ABR calls for buying AutoZone, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.

Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.

Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.

On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Should You Invest in AZO?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for AutoZone, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 0.1% over the past month to $150.98.

Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for AutoZone. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for AutoZone with a grain of salt.

2.76K Followers

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 329 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,053,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt bought a new stake in AutoZone during the second quarter valued at approximately $418,000. RB Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in AutoZone in the second quarter worth $2,052,000. Glenview Trust Co purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the 2nd quarter valued at about $981,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter valued at approximately $11,425,000. Finally, United Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AutoZone in the second quarter valued at $3,885,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at AutoZone In related news, VP Dennis W. Leriche sold 1,455 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The stock was 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 directly owned 441 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,367,100. This trade represents a 76.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane cut their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,478.00 to $3,979.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Truist Financial set a $3,700.00 price objective on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Guggenheim cut their price objective on AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. DA Davidson decreased their target price on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,750.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,029.43. Read Our Latest Report on AZO

AutoZone Trading Up 0.2% AutoZone stock opened at $2,967.55 on Monday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,902.20 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $3,045.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3,305.33. The firm has a market cap of $48.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.33.

AutoZone announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

AutoZone Company Profile (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than AutoZone Strike a Balance Between Growth and Stability With These 3 Names Ready to Rally Rubrik’s AI Security Bet Could Power the Next Leg Higher Apple’s Foldable iPhone Could Be a Catalyst, But Not a Cure-All Snowflake Is Up Nearly 50% in 2026—What Are Short Sellers Betting Against?

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

On August 26, 2026, we delve into the DCF analysis for AutoZone Inc AZO , a company that has seen a challenging year with a significant decline in its stock price. The current price stands at $3027.34, reflecting a year-to-date drop of 10.7% and a staggering 26.9% over the past year. This context sets the stage for a deeper examination of its intrinsic value.

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $3817.47 vs current price of $3027.34 (margin of safety: 20.7%) DCF Free Cash Flow-based intrinsic value of $2184.44, indicating a second opinion that suggests significant overvaluation. GF Score™ of 84/100, indicating strong financial health but with a predictability rank of 2/5 stars, which raises questions about the reliability of the DCF inputs. What Is AZO Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for AutoZone Inc utilizes a two-stage approach to assess its intrinsic value. The first stage involves a growth phase where earnings per share (EPS) is expected to grow at 17.4% annually for the next ten years, followed by a terminal phase with a growth rate of 4% for the subsequent ten years. The discount rate applied is 11%, derived from the risk-free rate and equity risk premium.

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $145.45 10-Year Growth Rate 17.4% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.64% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% The calculation summary for the two-stage model is as follows:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 17.4%, discounted at 11% $2005.52 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $1811.95 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $3817.47 With the current price at $3027.34, the intrinsic value of $3817.47 suggests that AutoZone is modestly undervalued, presenting a margin of safety of 20.7%. It is important to note that GuruFocus employs EPS figures excluding non-recurring items, as research indicates a stronger correlation between stock prices and earnings than with free cash flow.

For further details, you can access the AZO DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The Free Cash Flow (FCF) based intrinsic value for AutoZone is calculated at $2184.44. This starkly contrasts with the earnings-based valuation, indicating a significant disagreement between the two models. The FCF-based model suggests that the stock is significantly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -38.6%.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for AutoZone is calculated at $3792.90, providing a third perspective on the valuation. This proprietary measure is derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. The divergence among the three models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—highlights the complexity of accurately assessing AutoZone's worth.

For more insights, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does AZO's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ evaluates a company's financial health and growth potential. AutoZone's score of 84/100 indicates a strong financial position, yet its predictability rank of 2/5 stars suggests that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. A higher predictability rating generally enhances the trustworthiness of DCF estimates.

Metric Rating GF Score™ 84/100 Financial Strength 5/10 Profitability 10/10 Growth 10/10 Valuation 8/10 Momentum 1/10 For additional details, check the AZO stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is crucial to understand that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as AutoZone's 2/5 stars, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. Additionally, the terminal growth rate of 4% is a simplifying assumption that may not accurately reflect future performance.

What This Means for Investors In synthesizing the insights from the DCF earnings model, the DCF FCF model, and GF Value™, we find a notable tension in the valuation of AutoZone. While the earnings-based DCF suggests the stock is modestly undervalued, the FCF model indicates significant overvaluation. The GF Value™ aligns more closely with the earnings-based DCF, suggesting a more favorable outlook. Furthermore, the guru ownership signal shows that 13 gurus currently hold the stock, with 10 adding to their positions, while insiders have been net selling over the past year. This mixed signal adds another layer of complexity to the investment narrative. For a comprehensive analysis, explore the AZO DCF Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions What is AZO's intrinsic value based on DCF?

Earnigns-based intrinsic value is $3817.47, while FCF-based intrinsic value is $2184.44.

Is AZO overvalued or undervalued?

The earnings-based DCF suggests modest undervaluation, while the FCF-based model indicates significant overvaluation.

How reliable is the DCF model for AZO?

The predictability rank of 2/5 stars suggests that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

 | Source: AutoZone, Inc.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO), a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, will release results for its fourth quarter ended Saturday, August 29, 2026, before market open on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Additionally, the Company will host a one-hour conference call on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET), to discuss the results of the quarter. This call is being webcast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozone.com and by clicking on Investor Relations. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (888) 506-0062, passcode AUTOZONE. In addition, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (877) 481-4010, replay passcode 54424 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

About AutoZone (NYSE: AZO)
As of May 26, 2026, AutoZone had 6,766 stores in the U.S., 933 in Mexico and 157 in Brazil, for a total store count of 7,856.

AutoZone is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light duty trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. The majority of stores have a Commercial sales program that provides prompt delivery of parts and other products and Commercial credit to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, fleet owners and other accounts. AutoZone also sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.AutoZone.com, and our Commercial customers can make purchases through www.AutoZonePro.com. Additionally, we sell the ALLDATA brand of automotive diagnostic, repair, collision and shop management software through www.ALLDATA.com. We also provide product information on our Duralast-branded products through www.DuralastParts.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

Contact Information:
Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005, [email protected]
Media: Jennifer Hughes at (901) 495-6022, [email protected]

Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 104,870 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $335,157,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned 0.64% of AutoZone at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AZO. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. bought a new stake in AutoZone in the third quarter worth $25,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 50.0% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 9 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 3 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Price Performance AZO stock opened at $2,960.64 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.33. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,902.20 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $3,054.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3,332.00.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $36.22 by $1.85. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.40% and a negative return on equity of 80.35%. The company had revenue of $4.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $35.36 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.39 earnings per share for the current year. AutoZone declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, June 16th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on 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. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on AutoZone from $3,900.00 to $3,600.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Roth Capital lowered their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,526.00 to $4,023.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,029.43.

Read Our Latest Analysis on AZO

Insider Activity at AutoZone In other AutoZone news, VP Dennis W. Leriche sold 1,455 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total transaction of $4,510,500.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 441 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,367,100. This trade represents a 76.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian Hannasch bought 165 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 29th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $2,987.00 per share, with a total value of $492,855.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 1,219 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,641,153. This represents a 15.65% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

AutoZone Company Profile (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

See Also Five stocks we like better than AutoZone Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

20.8.2026 19:01

Index Dow Jones -0,76 % na 53054,15 b. S&P 500 -0,33 % na 7682,21 b. Nasdaq Composite -0,67 % na 26155,78 b.

Americké ministerstvo financí oznámilo záměr zvýšit likviditu a podpořit poptávku po dlouhodobých US dluhopisech se splatností 10–30 let. Cílem je snížit jejich výnosy. Nepřímá intervence bude mít podobu masivního zvýšení jejich zpětných odkupů po překonání psychologické hranice USD 40 bilionů státního deficitu. Objem bude navýšen ze max. 2 mld. na min. 4 mld dolarů pro jednotlivé operace.

Z indexu S&P 500 se nejlépe daří sektoru energií kvůli geopolitice. Trump oznámil ekonomickou válku a izolaci bezprecedentního rozsahu Iránu, kdy plánuje postihovat všechny jeho spojence a obchodní partnery. Futures na ropu opět rostou. WTI se obchoduje u USD 86,3 při růstu 2,3 %. Při růstu cen ropy si zisky připisují Exxon Mobile (1,6 %) i Chevron (0,8 %).

Naopak klesá sektor nezbytné spotřeby, kde Walmart (- 8,9 %) reportoval výsledky za Q2. Společnost překonala očekávání v tržbách i zisku, který dosáhl USD 0,81 na akcii. Negativní reakci vyvolalo zpomalení růstu návštěvnosti prodejen z 3 % na 1,5 %. Výhled zisku na následující kvartál nedosahuje při 62–64 centů na analytické odhady. Rovněž se začínají projevovat zvýšené náklady na pohonné hmoty.

Merck & Co (- 0,4 %) dnes obdržel zvýšení investičního doporučení od Morgan Stanley na stupeň Overweight s cílovou cenou USD 179. Hlavním důvodem je pozitivní změna pohledu u onkologické léčby vyvíjenou s Modernou, která dnes po včerejším raketovém růstu odevzdává část zisku a ztrácí 26 %.

Waymo představil vlastní čip pro robotaxi. Smyslem je snížení nákladů a důraz na vyšší efektivitu zpracování dat ze senzorů Waymo cílí na milion jízd týdně. Alphabet na zprávu reaguje vlažně a odepisuje 1 %.

Objevila se zpráva, že USA a Kanada jsou blízko nové obchodní dohody, která by mohla snížit americké clo na kanadskou ocel a hliník na 25 %. Steel Dynamics (- 4,5 %) a Nucor (- 2,9 %) reagují poklesem.

Index S&P 500 -0,33 % na 7682,21 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Energie +0,9 % Zbytná spotřeba -1,3 % Reality +0,4 % Nezbytná spotřeba -1,3 % Základní materiály +0,3 % Zdravotní péče -0,8 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Deere (DE) +8,8 % Moderna (MRNA) -26 % Coinbase Global (COIN) +8,8 % Walmart (WMT) -8,8 % Nordson Corp (NDSN) +6,9 % GE Vernova (GEV) -4,5 % CF Industries Holdings (CF) +6,1 % Steel Dynamics (STLD) -4,4 % Lumentum Holdings (LITE) +5,0 % AutoZone (AZO) -4,3 %
Marek Kameništiak
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,232,366 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,938,566,000. BlackRock Inc. owned approximately 7.55% of AutoZone at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at $1,808,000. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund raised its holdings in AutoZone by 15.2% in the fourth quarter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund now owns 14,224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,241,000 after acquiring an additional 1,882 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 67.1% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 3,941 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,366,000 after purchasing an additional 1,582 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the 4th quarter worth about $939,205,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in AutoZone by 387.1% during the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 77,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $263,832,000 after purchasing an additional 61,821 shares during the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoZone Trading Up 1.9% NYSE AZO opened at $3,077.21 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $50.25 billion, a PE ratio of 21.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.33. AutoZone, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2,902.20 and a twelve month high of $4,388.11. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $3,061.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $3,344.23.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $36.22 by $1.85. The firm had revenue of $4.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.86 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.40% and a negative return on equity of 80.35%. AutoZone’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $35.36 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.39 EPS for the current year. AutoZone announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity In related news, Director Brian Hannasch purchased 165 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $2,987.00 per share, for a total transaction of $492,855.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 1,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,641,153. This trade represents a 15.65% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Dennis W. Leriche sold 1,455 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 trade represents a 76.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes AZO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Truist Financial set a $3,700.00 price objective on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on AutoZone from $4,345.00 to $4,096.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Roth Capital decreased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,526.00 to $4,023.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered AutoZone from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,029.43.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AutoZone

About AutoZone (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than AutoZone The AI Boom Is Turning This Cable Maker Into a Stock to Watch A Star Investor Just Trimmed Amazon—Here’s What It means Wendy’s Deal Buzz May Give Fast-Food Investors a New Reason to Look Home Depot Analysts See a Path to $375 and Beyond Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AZO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?

Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.

AutoZone currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.39, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 27 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.39 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 27 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 21 are Strong Buy and one is Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 77.8% and 3.7% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for AZO

Check price target & stock forecast for AutoZone here>>>

While the ABR calls for buying AutoZone, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.

Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.

In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Should You Invest in AZO?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for AutoZone, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 0.1% over the past month to $150.39.

Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for AutoZone. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for AutoZone with a grain of salt.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

Roundhill’s Roundhill Heavy Assets and Low Obsolescence ETF (NYSEARCA:LOHA) launched in May 2026 as a counterweight to the software and AI concentration dominating most passive equity portfolios. The idea belongs to Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management, who coined the acronym HALO for heavy assets and low obsolescence to describe companies whose value sits in physical infrastructure, entrenched distribution, and long-lived capital rather than in code that a competitor can rewrite. LOHA translates that idea into an index of 100 US companies, equally weighted and rebalanced quarterly, with a 0.35% expense ratio and a unitary fee structure under which Roundhill absorbs most operating expenses.

The top holdings make the pitch clear. Cummins (NYSE:CMI | CMI Price Prediction) builds diesel and natural gas engines, AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) runs the largest aftermarket auto parts network in the country, TFI International (NYSE:TFII) hauls freight, Lennox International makes furnaces and rooftop HVAC units, and Newmont digs gold out of the ground. If AI-heavy indices own the software layer, LOHA owns what sits under, around, and behind it.

The Thesis Behind Heavy Assets
The argument runs like this: a company whose competitive position depends on physical scale (mines, factories, distribution centers, truck fleets, refrigerated warehouses, a national franchise footprint) cannot be disintermediated by a well-funded startup with GPUs. Replicating AutoZone’s roughly 20% operating margin requires actually building thousands of stores stocked with the right SKUs within a short drive of a mechanic who needs a part today. Replicating Cummins’ multi-year hyperscaler agreement, which secures several gigawatts of future backup power genset demand, requires foundries, engineering depth, and permits that a model checkpoint cannot provide.

The irony is that the physical economy is now partly a levered play on the AI buildout itself. Cummins’ Power Systems segment posted record Q2 sales of $2.3 billion, up 19%, as data centers need standby diesel generators. So the anti-AI fund’s flagship holding sells picks and shovels into the very trend the fund is marketed against, which is either a feature or a philosophical problem depending on how strictly you read the label.

Testing Whether Physical Really Protects
Heavy assets are not a free hedge. They are capital-intensive, cyclical, and often commodity-linked. Lennox told investors in July that “elevated mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and historically low consumer confidence are constraining underlying demand,” and that residential new construction revenues declined by approximately 30%. Newmont’s margins swing with a gold price that carried a realized price of $4,414 per ounce in Q2 and could just as easily reverse. What LOHA holders are buying is exposure to the operating leverage of physical capacity, which cuts both ways.

Equal weighting at quarterly intervals caps the portfolio’s dependence on any single winner, tilts toward smaller industrials and materials names, and forces the fund to trim what has run and add to what has lagged. That mechanical rebalance is the opposite of how cap-weighted tech indices behave, and it is the structural reason the portfolio behaves like a counterweight rather than a proxy.

Does This Fit Your Portfolio?
LOHA is a thesis to evaluate rather than an established track record. With roughly $50 million in assets and only a few months of history, the fund carries new-fund liquidity risk and no meaningful data on how the strategy behaves across a full cycle. Anyone treating it as a proven diversifier is projecting.

The reasonable use case is a 3% to 7% sleeve for an investor whose broad-market exposure has drifted into heavy overlap with the Nasdaq-100, where the S&P 500 and QQQ (NASDAQ:QQQ) share the same handful of names at the top. For that investor, owning engines, trucks, HVAC, and gold miners in equal measure is genuine diversification at the business-model level rather than at the sector label. Investors expecting LOHA to outperform in a continued AI-led tape are likely to be disappointed, because the fund is designed to hold value when leadership shifts rather than to lead the shift itself.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 11th, 2026

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) VP Dennis Leriche sold 1,455 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The stock was 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 $1,367,100. This trade represents a 76.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

AutoZone Stock Performance Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $3,063.67 on Tuesday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1 year low of $2,902.20 and a 1 year high of $4,388.11. The firm has a market cap of $50.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.06, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3,066.60 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3,373.77.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $36.22 by $1.85. The company had revenue of $4.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.86 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 80.35% and a net margin of 12.40%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $35.36 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoZone declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently weighed in on AZO. BNP Paribas Exane reduced their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,478.00 to $3,979.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,600.00 to $3,200.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,345.00 to $4,096.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,029.43.

Check Out Our Latest Report on AutoZone

Institutional Trading of AutoZone Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the second quarter valued at $431,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the second quarter valued at $495,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in AutoZone during the second quarter valued at $70,000. Finally, Kelman Lazarov Inc. purchased a new stake in AutoZone in the 2nd quarter worth about $236,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About AutoZone (Get Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than AutoZone SoundHound AI Sends a Loud Signal After Its Q2 Earnings Beat 3 Dividend Champion Utilities for a Market That Can’t Sit Still These 3 Most-Upgraded Stocks Have Almost Nothing to Do With AI First Solar’s Profit Engine Faces a New Policy Test in Washington

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

« PREVIOUS HEADLINEInsider Selling: Southern Silver Exploration (CVE:SSV) Insider Sells C$15,000.00 in Stock

NEXT HEADLINE »Cactus (NYSE:WHD) CEO Steven Bender Sells 25,000 Shares

First Trust Advisors LP decreased its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) by 68.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,906 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,110 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $6,437,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 17.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 492,794 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,671,323,000 after acquiring an additional 74,555 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 387,042 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,312,654,000 after purchasing an additional 7,390 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the fourth quarter valued at $939,205,000. First Manhattan CO. LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 261,314 shares of the company’s stock valued at $886,246,000 after purchasing an additional 6,765 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 189,789 shares of the company’s stock valued at $814,240,000 after purchasing an additional 2,333 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Stock Performance Shares of AZO opened at $3,024.42 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $49.39 billion, a PE ratio of 20.79, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.33. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $3,069.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $3,392.87. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,902.20 and a 52 week high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $36.22 by $1.85. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.40% and a negative return on equity of 80.35%. The company had revenue of $4.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.86 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $35.36 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoZone announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to purchase up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have issued reports on AZO. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $4,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,750.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,900.00 to $3,600.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. BNP Paribas Exane cut their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,478.00 to $3,979.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,700.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,040.87.

Get Our Latest Report on AutoZone

Insider Transactions at AutoZone In other news, Director Brian Hannasch bought 165 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2,987.00 per share, for a total transaction of $492,855.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 1,219 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,641,153. This trade represents a 15.65% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Company Profile (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than AutoZone 3 Fixed-Income ETFs Show Why Yield Is Only Part of the Income Story AbbVie Quietly Solved Its Biggest Problem—Now What? Rio Tinto’s Results Make the Case for Looking Beyond Tech in the AI Trade Strategy’s Structural Strength: Hidden in a $8 Billion Illusion

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Investors in AutoZone, Inc. (AZO - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Sept. 18, 2026 $2100.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for AutoZone shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, AutoZone is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry that ranks in the Top 12% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, five analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while three have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $55.21 per share to $55.34 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about AutoZone right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 22nd, 2026

ABN Amro Investment Solutions lowered its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) by 7.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,442 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,180 shares during the quarter. ABN Amro Investment Solutions owned 0.09% of AutoZone worth $52,160,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. bought a new stake in AutoZone in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in AutoZone during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in AutoZone by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC boosted its position in AutoZone by 50.0% in the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 9 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 3 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new position in AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently weighed in on AZO. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,000.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. DA Davidson decreased their price target on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,750.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup dropped their price target on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,700.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on AutoZone from $3,900.00 to $3,600.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $3,700.00 target price on AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,040.87.

View Our Latest Stock Report on AZO

AutoZone Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AZO opened at $3,009.58 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $49.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a 50 day moving average of $3,125.74 and a 200-day moving average of $3,410.91. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,928.11 and a one year high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $36.22 by $1.85. The firm had revenue of $4.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.86 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.40% and a negative return on equity of 80.35%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $35.36 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AutoZone declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, June 16th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Brian Hannasch bought 165 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2,987.00 per share, with a total value of $492,855.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 1,219 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,641,153. This represents a 15.65% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

About AutoZone (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

See Also Five stocks we like better than AutoZone Confidence Is Back, But Earnings Show the Consumer Is Being Picky AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off 3M’s Redemption Arc: Can Q2 Earnings Change the Narrative? 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

« PREVIOUS HEADLINEABN Amro Investment Solutions Has $16.65 Million Stake in SK Telecom Co., Ltd. $SKM

NEXT HEADLINE »a16z Perennial Management L.P. Purchases Shares of 321,231 iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF $AGG

On July 16, 2026, AutoZone Inc (AZO) shares rose 3.1% to a current price of $3062.16, reflecting a slight recovery amid a challenging year where the stock has f

AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this auto parts retailer have returned -3.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.1% change. The Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry, to which AutoZone belongs, has lost 1.7% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

AutoZone is expected to post earnings of $55.34 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.1%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $150.51 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +3.9%. This estimate has changed +0.2% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $175.75 indicates a change of +16.8% from what AutoZone is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, AutoZone is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For AutoZone, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.71 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +7.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $20.48 billion and $22.02 billion estimates indicate +8.1% and +7.5% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAutoZone reported revenues of $4.84 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +8.4%. EPS of $38.07 for the same period compares with $35.36 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.86 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.45%. The EPS surprise was +5.22%.

Over the last four quarters, AutoZone surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

AutoZone is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about AutoZone. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

6.7.2026 22:30

Americké akciové indexy vykázaly v úvodní seanci po prodlouženém víkendu kladnou bilanci v čele s technologickým Nasdaqem (+1,12 %). Širší index S&P500 přidal 0,72 % a Dow Jones 0,29 %. Mírný zisk registrovaly také dluhopisy vyjma nejdelších maturit. Výnos 10letého vládního bondu se posunul na 4,47 % z pátečních 4,48 %. V červeném uzavřely drahé kovy. Zlato odepsalo 0,3 % na 4162 USD/oz, stříbro končilo slabší o 0,64 % na 62 USD/oz. V energetickém sektoru se dařilo zemnímu plynu, který zpevnil téměř o 1,7 % na 3,25 USD/mmbtu. Ropa končila beze změny na 68,7 USD/barel.

Závěrečné hodnoty:

Index Dow Jones 0,29 % na 53055,91 b.
Index Nasdaq Composite 1,12 % na 26121,16 b.
Index S&P 500 +0,72 % na 7537,43 b.

Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Sektor komunikací +1,6 % Zdravotní péče -1,2 % Informační technologie +1,3 % Utility -1,1 % Nezbytná spotřeba +1 % Reality -0,9 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Arista Networks (ANET) +8,3 % O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY) -6,7 % Western Digital (WDC) +7,1 % AutoZone (AZO) -6,4 % Tesla (TSLA) +6,7 % Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE) -5,2 % Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) +6,6 % Constellation Brands (STZ) -4,9 % NetApp (NTAP) +6,1 % Tractor Supply (TSCO) -4,8 % Zdroj: Reuters

David Lamač
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

6.7.2026 15:50

Index Dow Jones -0,1 % na 52848,66 b. S&P 500 +0,44 % na 7516,13 b. Nasdaq Composite +0,91 % na 26067,65 b.

Obchodní den po prodlouženém víkendu začíná smíšeně. Index Dow Jones kosmeticky ztrácí, povedlo se mu ale po otevření poprvé překonat 53000 b. Tahounem indexu s růstem nad 2 % je Caterpillar (2,55 %) a Goldmman Sachs Group (2,41 %).

Z indexu S&P 500 posilují zejména informační technologie, kterých růst se propisuje i do indexu Nasdaq. Nejslabším sektorem je zdravotnictví. Pfizer ztrácí 2,06 %, Eli Lilly odepisuje 1,16 % a Johnson & Johnson klesá o 1,81 %.

Z technologií dnes opět rostou čipové společnosti. Broadcom a AMD posilují o víc, než 6 %, Nvidia se obchoduje na kladné nule.

Microsoft (-1,65 %) se chystá na další vlnu propouštění, která tentokrát zasáhne divize prodeje a Xbox. Celkem se má společnost zeštíhlit o přibližně 2 % pracovní síly, tedy 4 800 míst. Společnost se snaží o zefektivnění nákladů a tlačí na zvyšování efektivity všech divizí. Microsoft zvažuje i změnu struktury herní divize s možným prodejem několika studií.

OPEC o víkendu oznámil záměr zvýšit těžbu černého zlata. V srpnu by se měl objem navýšit o 188 tis barelů denně. Futures kontrakty na WTI reagují mírným poklesem. Aktuálně se barel obchoduje pod USD 69.

Index S&P 500 +0,44 % na 7516,13 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Informační technologie +1,6 % Zdravotní péče -1,8 % Průmysl +1,2 % Nezbytná spotřeba -0,8 % Finanční sektor +0,2 % Reality -0,6 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Western Digital Corp (WDC) +9,0 % O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY) -5,2 % Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) +7,5 % AutoZone (AZO) -4,7 % Vertiv Holdings (VRT) +7,4 % Constellation Brands (STZ) -3,8 % Teradyne (TER) +7,1 % SBA Communications Corp (SBAC) -3,7 % GE Vernova (GEV) +6,5 % Genuine Parts (GPC) -3,6 %
Marek Kameništiak
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this auto parts retailer have returned +1.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry, which AutoZone falls in, has lost 3.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

AutoZone is expected to post earnings of $55.34 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $150.51 points to a change of +3.9% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.7%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $175.75 indicates a change of +16.8% from what AutoZone is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for AutoZone.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

In the case of AutoZone, the consensus sales estimate of $6.71 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +7.5%. The $20.48 billion and $22.02 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +8.1% and +7.5%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAutoZone reported revenues of $4.84 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +8.4%. EPS of $38.07 for the same period compares with $35.36 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.86 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.45%. The EPS surprise was +5.22%.

Over the last four quarters, AutoZone surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

AutoZone is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about AutoZone. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for AutoZone (AZO - Free Report) . Shares have added about 2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is AutoZone due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for AutoZone, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

AutoZone Q3 Earnings Beat EstimatesAutoZone posted third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 9, 2026) earnings per share of $38.07, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $36.18 by 5.2%. Earnings per share rose 7.7% from $35.36 a year ago.

The company’s net sales increased 8.4% year over year to $4.84 billion, but fell short of the consensus mark of $4.86 billion by about 0.5%. Domestic same-store sales increased 4.1% in the quarter, led by strong commercial momentum.

Sales Growth Accelerates on Commercial MomentumIn the reported quarter, domestic commercial sales totaled $1.4 billion, up from $1.27 billion in the year-ago period. Total sales represented the company’s largest year-over-year growth in more than three years, reflecting faster top-line momentum versus the first half of fiscal 2026. Total company same-store sales rose 3.9% on a constant-currency basis, supported by a 4.1% domestic comp and a 1.6% international comp on the same basis.

The mix of growth also leaned favorably. Domestic do-it-yourself sales rose 2.2% in the quarter, while domestic commercial sales increased 10.4%. The commercial outperformance was driven by better inventory availability at satellite stores, broader Hub and Mega-Hub coverage, and continued gains tied to service speed and delivery improvements.

Profitability Reflects LIFO and Mix PressureGross profit rose to $2.52 billion from $2.35 billion in the prior-year quarter. Gross profit margin was 52.2%, down 57 basis points from the year-ago period. A $20 million non-cash LIFO charge in the quarter, which contrasted with a $16 million LIFO credit in the prior-year quarter, weighed on the year-over-year margin comparison.

Operating profit increased 6.6% to $923.8 million. Operating expenses were 33.1% of sales versus 33.3% last year, indicating modest leverage despite the faster store growth cadence. Net income rose to $641.5 million from $608.4 million a year ago.

Store Growth Push Builds Scale Across RegionsAutoZone continued to add stores at a faster pace. During the quarter, it opened 82 new stores globally, including 57 in the United States, 20 in Mexico and five in Brazil. Total store count ended at 7,856, consisting of 6,766 in the United States, 933 in Mexico and 157 in Brazil.

The company continues to expand its commercial footprint. Mega-Hubs acted as a key driver of improved parts availability, as these locations typically carry a significantly broader SKU count and can lift both commercial and retail demand by shortening delivery times in local markets.

Capital Returns Remain a Key FeatureShare repurchases stayed sizable in the quarter. AutoZone bought back 164,000 shares for $586.3 million at an average price of $3,582 per share, ending the period with $0.8 billion remaining under its current authorization.

Liquidity remained solid alongside a leveraged balance sheet structure typical of the company’s capital strategy. Cash and cash equivalents were $253.7 million as of May 9, 2026, while total debt stood at $9.02 billion, down from $8.8 billion as of May 10, 2025. The company reported a leverage ratio of 2.5x EBITDAR.

Inventory Position Tracks Growth and InflationInventory continued to build as the company invests to support growth initiatives and new stores. Merchandise inventories rose 10.8% year over year to $7.56 billion. Inventory per store increased to $962,000 from $908,000 in the year-ago quarter.

Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventory less accounts payable, remained negative on a per-store basis. Net inventory per store was negative $107,000 compared with negative $142,000 last year, while accounts payable as a percentage of inventory was 111.1% compared with 115.6% a year ago.

Q4 Commentary Centers on Inflation and LIFOThe company expects inflation and ticket growth to moderate in the fourth quarter versus the third quarter, with commentary pointing to a mid-4% range for ticket trends as the company laps higher inflation from the prior year. It also expects a planned non-cash LIFO charge of approximately $30 million for the fourth quarter, which would pressure gross margin and earnings per share versus a more favorable prior-year LIFO comparison.

The company expects weather-related softness late in the quarter, affecting certain heat-driven categories, while reiterating confidence in summer performance given ongoing execution initiatives. Internationally, the company expects a softer macro environment in Mexico and Brazil, with expectations for constant-currency same-store sales in a range similar to the third quarter.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates review have trended upward during the past month.

VGM ScoresCurrently, AutoZone has a average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with an A. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, AutoZone has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

June 16, 2026 17:00 ET  | Source: AutoZone, Inc.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO), today, announced its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1.5 billion of the Company’s common stock in connection with its ongoing share repurchase program. Since the inception of the repurchase program in 1998, and including the above amount, AutoZone’s Board of Directors has authorized $42.2 billion in share repurchases.

“Our disciplined capital allocation approach continues to allow us to generate strong free cash flow, invest in growth, and increase our share buyback authorization while maintaining investment grade credit ratings,” said Jamere Jackson, Chief Financial Officer. 

About AutoZone:

As of May 26, 2026, AutoZone had 6,766 stores in the U.S., 933 in Mexico and 157 in Brazil, for a total store count of 7,856.

AutoZone is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light duty trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. The majority of stores have a Commercial sales program that provides prompt delivery of parts and other products and Commercial credit to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, fleet owners and other accounts. AutoZone also sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.AutoZone.com, and our Commercial customers can make purchases through www.AutoZonePro.com. Additionally, we sell the ALLDATA brand of automotive diagnostic, repair, collision and shop management software through www.ALLDATA.com. We also provide product information on our Duralast-branded products through www.DuralastParts.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

Contact Information:
Financial: Brian Campbell, 901-495-7005, [email protected]
Media: Jennifer Hughes, 901-495-6022, [email protected]

AutoZone, Inc. remains a long-term compounder despite recent margin pressure, slower EPS growth, and a pullback to $3,000. AZO's Q3 saw record sales of $4.84 billion (+8.5% YoY), positive comps, and EPS of $38.07, but gross margin fell 57 bps to 52.2%. Buybacks remain a key value driver, with 164,000 shares repurchased this quarter and only 16.4 million shares outstanding.

AutoZone NYSE: AZO is a buy-and-hold quality stock nearly beyond compare. The company’s management, strategy, market position, market trends, operational quality, cash flow, and capital returns are a recipe for ever-growing value, as reflected in the long-term price action. AZO’s stock price advanced approximately 500% from the pandemic low to the 2025 peak, and additional highs are still likely in 2026.

AutoZone Today

$3,070.69 -10.93 (-0.35%)

As of 10:26 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$2,928.11▼

$4,388.11P/E Ratio21.13

Price Target$4,040.87

The takeaway in 2026 is that the AZO market is experiencing a much-needed price correction and setting up a buying opportunity of generational proportions. It may take some time for AZO’s market to regain traction and resume its uptrend, but it will, and when it does, the gains could be explosive. Catalysts include international expansion, market share gains, business optimization, and aggressive share buybacks.

Get AutoZone alerts:

The company is expanding aggressively in Latin America, specifically in Mexico and Brazil, where middle-class expansion is fastest. Meanwhile, the company also focuses on capturing the fragmented commercial auto parts markets and driving supply chain efficiency through digitization. The critical factors are earnings growth, cash flow, and aggressive share buybacks. The company is well regarded as an efficient steward of capital, reducing its share count significantly on both a quarterly and an annual basis. Q1 activity amounted to $586 million, about 92% of operating profits, reducing the count by an average of 2% on a trailing 12-month (TTM) basis.

Mixed Results Favor AutoZone InvestorsAutoZone reported a mixed quarter with revenue for its fiscal Q3 2026 falling short of the consensus estimate. However, the $20 million miss was slim and easily overlooked in light of the 8.5% growth and margin strength. Revenue growth was underpinned by increases in store count in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, compounded by a 3.9% systemwide comp. Comps rose by 4.1% domestically and 1.6% internationally, below expectations but still a healthy gain.

Margin news was also mixed, which was central to the stock price decline. However, the gross margin reduction and overall impact are less than feared, leaving operating profit up approximately 6.5% year over year and GAAP earnings per share well ahead of the consensus forecast. At $38.07, GAAP earnings were nearly $2 above expectations and 5.5% better than expectations, sufficient to sustain operations and capital returns while enabling strategy execution.

AutoZone’s balance sheet provides no red flags. The company’s cash balance held relatively steady despite the increased investment and robust capital return. Other highlights include increased inventory and total assets, and a reduction in deficit. Normally a problem, the shareholder deficit results from share buybacks and is likely to persist over time. AutoZone has returned more than $12.5 billion to investors over the past decade, approximately 25% of its late-May market cap.

AutoZone Market Over Reacts to Results: Deepens Value OpportunityAutoZone Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$4,040.87
30.92% Upside

Moderate Buy
Based on 27 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$3,086.55High Forecast$4,800.00Average Forecast$4,040.87Low Forecast$3,200.00AutoZone Stock Forecast Details

Analyst trends have contributed to AutoZone’s 2026 stock price weakness, as some price targets were reduced early in the year. The caveat is that this market overreacted to the adjustment, compounding the move in late May after the fiscal Q3 release.

Trading near $3,000, AZO stock is 20% below the lowest price target tracked, while analyst consensus forecasts more than 40% upside. The likely result is that AZO reaches bottom sometime in late Q2 or early Q3, and begins to regain traction later in the year.

Institutional trends are among the reasons why the AZO stock price is nearing its bottom. The institutional group owns approximately 93% of the shares and has accumulated on a TTM basis.

Price action in late May has entered the range where institutional buying was strongest, suggesting a robust response from this group is forthcoming. If not, AZO’s stock price could enter a sustained downtrend, but that is not indicated by the results, analysts' trends, or chart price action.

The chart price action reveals a mid-term downtrend, with an increasingly strong chance of a rebound. While price action moves lower, the MACD is diverging, and the stochastic is deeply oversold, suggesting bears have lost control and all the bulls need is a trigger to start buying. That could be as simple as the valuation, which suggests a 50% discount to the five-year outlook, but may require more tangible news, which may not be revealed until the company's fiscal Q4 earnings results are released.

The biggest risk for AutoZone this year is margin compression. While the impacts of aggressive expansion are manageable, produce results, and will slow over time, rising costs are more of a concern and may continue eroding results. The question is whether efficiencies gained from the “Mega Hub” strategy will be enough to support margin recovery over time.

Should You Invest $1,000 in AutoZone Right Now?Before you consider AutoZone, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and AutoZone wasn't on the list.

While AutoZone currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Discover the 10 Best High-Yield Dividend Stocks for 2026 and secure reliable income in uncertain markets. Download the report now to identify top dividend payers and avoid common yield traps.

Get This Free Report

AutoZone (AZO 0.40%) stock is getting hit with a big sell-off in Tuesday's trading. The company's share price was down 9.6% as of 2:45 p.m. ET.

Before the market opened this morning, AutoZone published results for the third quarter of its current fiscal year -- a period that ended May 9. While the company posted a significant earnings beat in the quarter, sales fell short of the average analyst estimate.

Image source: Getty Images.

AutoZone's Q3 earnings beat wasn't enough for investors AutoZone posted earnings per share of $38.07 on revenue of $4.84 billion in fiscal Q3. While the company's per-share profit topped the average analyst forecast by roughly $1.90, sales for the period came in $20 million below the average forecast.

Despite the overall earnings beat, there were some concerning elements when it came to the broader margins picture. AutoZone recorded a gross margin of 52.2% in the quarter -- down 57 basis points from the margin it posted in last year's quarter.

Today's Change

(

-0.40

%) $

-12.23

Current Price

$

3069.39

What's next for AutoZone? AutoZone is guiding for the opening of roughly 160 new stores this quarter -- up from 121 openings in last year's quarter. The performance is projected to bring total new global store openings to roughly 365 for the fiscal year, and expansion momentum continues to look encouraging. On the other hand, the company is facing some near-term earnings pressures that extend beyond location expansion.

In its fiscal Q3 report, AutoZone said it expected last-in, first-out accounting dynamics to create a roughly $30 million headwind to earnings before interest and taxes and a roughly $1.40 headwind to earnings per share. While overall momentum for the business continues to look solid, investors are bristling in response to some margin declines and a softer near-term earnings outlook.

Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.