AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Holdings Trimmed by Eschler Asset Management LLP

Eschler Asset Management LLP decreased its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 30.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 464 shares of the company's stock after selling 199 shares during the quarter. AutoZone accounts for approximately 3.5% of Eschler Asset Management LLP's holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Eschler Asset Management LLP's holdings in AutoZone were worth $1,486,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AZO. Colonial Trust Co SC increased its position in shares of AutoZone by 24.5% during the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 61 shares of the company's stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 29.5% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 34,808 shares of the company's stock worth $111,455,000 after purchasing an additional 7,922 shares during the period. Comerica Bank lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 4,262 shares of the company's stock worth $13,647,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 82.6% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 170,216 shares of the company's stock worth $545,033,000 after purchasing an additional 77,015 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 13.0% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 66,016 shares of the company's stock worth $211,383,000 after purchasing an additional 7,586 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company's stock.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AZO traded down $16.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $3,658.70. 81,995 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 131,796. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.40 billion, a PE ratio of 24.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.44. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,728.97 and a one year high of $3,916.81. The company's 50 day moving average is $3,649.54 and its 200 day moving average is $3,401.35.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The company reported $28.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $29.11 by ($0.82). The firm had revenue of $3.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Philip B. Daniele sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,800.01, for a total value of $7,600,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 163 shares in the company, valued at $619,401.63. This trade represents a 92.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 4,800 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,660.00, for a total transaction of $17,568,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 159 shares in the company, valued at $581,940. This trade represents a 96.79% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 11,521 shares of company stock worth $42,177,331. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AZO shares. Raymond James reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,700.00 to $3,850.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Roth Mkm increased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,634.00 to $3,763.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,841.00 to $3,995.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, DA Davidson raised shares of AutoZone from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $3,500.00 to $4,192.00 in a report on Friday, March 21st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $3,821.91.

AutoZone Company Profile

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.