AutoZone, Inc. $AZO Shares Sold by NFC Investments LLC

Key Points

• NFC Investments cut its AutoZone stake by 7.0% in Q3 to 5,664 shares worth about $24.3 million, making AZO roughly 7% of its portfolio and its fourth-largest holding.
• AutoZone reported Q2 EPS of $27.63 (a $0.04 beat) with revenue up 8.2% year‑over‑year but slightly below estimates, while management reiterated an aggressive growth plan targeting ~350–360 new stores in 2026 and analysts hold a consensus "Moderate Buy" price target near $4,300.
• Insiders were net sellers over the past three months—selling 9,447 shares valued at about $34.18 million versus 347 shares purchased (~$1.18 million), leaving insiders with approximately 2.60% ownership of the company.

NFC Investments LLC reduced its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,664 shares of the company's stock after selling 427 shares during the quarter. AutoZone accounts for about 7.0% of NFC Investments LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. NFC Investments LLC's holdings in AutoZone were worth $24,300,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Aspect Partners LLC lifted its stake in AutoZone by 700.0% in the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 600.0% in the third quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 50.0% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 9 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 3 shares during the period. Finally, Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Earl G. Graves, Jr. sold 250 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,295.00, for a total transaction of $823,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,102,665. This trade represents a 4.87% 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 Michael A. George purchased 145 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $3,398.13 per share, for a total transaction of $492,728.85. Following the transaction, the director owned 566 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,923,341.58. The trade was a 34.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders purchased 347 shares of company stock valued at $1,179,256 and sold 9,447 shares valued at $34,179,923. 2.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting AutoZone

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: EPS beat and revenue growth: AutoZone topped quarterly EPS estimates and delivered +8% sales year-over-year, with commercial sales and store openings helping offset weaknesses. Earnings Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Growth blueprint: Management reiterated an aggressive store-growth plan (targeting ~350–360 new stores in 2026), which supports longer-term revenue and commercial expansion. Store Growth Plan
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upside: Multiple major firms raised targets or reiterated buys (Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Barclays among others), providing visible broker support that likely buoyed the stock. Analyst Raises
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst actions: While several banks lifted targets, others trimmed theirs (BMO, DA Davidson, Roth, Truist made adjustments), leaving a split analyst picture and some debate over valuation vs. execution. Price Target Moves
• Negative Sentiment: Top-line weakness from weather and comps: Management said winter storms and weaker comparable-store sales (including softness in Mexico) drove the revenue shortfall relative to expectations. That miss weighed on near-term sentiment. Winter Weather Impact
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure and cost headwinds: Inflationary input costs, higher production expenses, LIFO accounting effects and accelerated SG&A investment compressed margins and prompted analyst scrutiny of profit sustainability. Margin Pressure

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $3,711.77 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $3,612.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $3,824.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.50 billion, a PE ratio of 26.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.41. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $3,210.72 and a 52 week high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 3rd. The company reported $27.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $27.59 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.31 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 72.31% and a net margin of 12.47%.The business's revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $28.29 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on AZO shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup boosted their price target on AutoZone from $4,200.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,400.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,300.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Oppenheimer reduced their price target on AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,150.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 9th. One investment 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 company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $4,300.70.

About AutoZone

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.

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