AutoZone, Inc. $AZO Stock Acquired by Farther Finance Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Farther Finance Advisors LLC dramatically increased its AutoZone stake by 15,374.1% to 55,552 shares worth approximately $157.2 million, making AutoZone about 1.1% of its portfolio. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 92.74% of the company.
• Analysts remain broadly positive but have reduced price targets. AutoZone has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average target of $3,669.12, although several firms recently lowered their targets and Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to “market perform.”
• AutoZone shares rose 2.3% to $2,910.62, while quarterly revenue increased 5.6% year over year to $6.59 billion. The company also authorized a $1.5 billion share-repurchase program, allowing it to buy back up to 3% of outstanding shares.

Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 15,374.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 55,552 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 55,193 shares during the quarter. AutoZone accounts for approximately 1.1% of Farther Finance Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Farther Finance Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.34% of AutoZone worth $157,213,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AZO. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Burkett Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Tacita Capital Inc acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC increased its stake in shares of AutoZone by 150.0% during the first quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 10 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Dennis LeRiche sold 1,455 shares of the business's 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 sale, the vice president directly owned 441 shares in the company, valued at $1,367,100. The trade was a 76.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AZO shares. Morgan Stanley lowered AutoZone from an "overweight" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $3,500.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on AutoZone from $4,150.00 to $3,500.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on AutoZone from $3,817.00 to $3,648.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price objective on AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,400.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $3,669.12.

AutoZone Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of AZO traded up $64.35 on Thursday, reaching $2,910.62. The stock had a trading volume of 172,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 264,784. AutoZone, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2,730.65 and a twelve month high of $4,146.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.53 billion, a PE ratio of 19.05, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $2,949.26 and a 200 day moving average of $3,149.16.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 22nd. The company reported $56.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $55.51. The firm had revenue of $6.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.70 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 90.08% and a net margin of 12.65%.AutoZone's revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $48.71 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 172.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoZone declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to buy up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

AutoZone News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein upgraded AutoZone to “Strong Buy.” The firm’s average price target is approximately $3,669, implying meaningful potential upside from recent trading levels and providing the clearest positive catalyst for the shares. Bernstein upgrades AutoZone stock to Strong Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research introduced a fiscal 2029 EPS forecast of $220.60. Zacks also raised its Q3 2028 estimate to $46.56, suggesting analysts still expect long-term earnings growth despite weaker near- and medium-term projections.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks reduced earnings estimates across several periods. Forecasts were cut for Q1 2027 to $34.65 from $37.78, Q2 2027 to $31.45 from $32.61, Q3 2027 to $41.91 from $42.64, and Q4 2027 to $58.15 from $61.70. The FY2027 estimate fell to $166.16 from $174.73.
• Negative Sentiment: Longer-term fiscal 2028 estimates were also lowered. Zacks reduced Q1 2028 EPS to $41.39 from $43.62, Q2 2028 to $39.11 from $40.45, Q4 2028 to $63.01 from $67.59, and FY2028 to $190.08 from $197.32. These revisions point to more cautious expectations for AutoZone’s earnings trajectory.
• Neutral Sentiment: The latest Zacks commentary keeps the focus on upcoming earnings. The current full-year consensus EPS estimate remains $172.12, while investors may weigh the bullish valuation outlook against the downward revisions to future quarterly results. Zacks Research Comments on AutoZone's Q2 Earnings

AutoZone Company Profile

AutoZone, Inc is a specialty retailer of automotive replacement parts, accessories and maintenance products. The company serves do-it-yourself customers as well as professional automotive repair shops, offering products such as batteries, brakes, filters, engine components, tools, fluids and other vehicle parts.

In addition to its retail stores, AutoZone provides commercial sales and delivery services for professional repair businesses. The company also operates ALLDATA, which offers automotive diagnostic, repair and shop-management software and information services to repair professionals.

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, AutoZone operates primarily in the United States, with additional stores and operations in Mexico and Brazil.

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