Braun Stacey Associates Inc. Trims Position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Braun Stacey Associates Inc. decreased its stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 1.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,537 shares of the company's stock after selling 92 shares during the period. AutoZone accounts for approximately 1.2% of Braun Stacey Associates Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Braun Stacey Associates Inc.'s holdings in AutoZone were worth $28,737,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AZO. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC boosted its position in AutoZone by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 152 shares of the company's stock worth $487,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 132 shares of the company's stock valued at $423,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 42.9% in the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 10 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 371 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,188,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Finally, Tandem Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. Tandem Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the company's stock valued at $279,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AutoZone Stock Performance

AutoZone stock traded down $18.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3,667.00. 84,768 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 130,386. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,802.79 and a one year high of $3,916.81. The stock has a market cap of $61.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.39. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3,701.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $3,544.02.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 27th. The company reported $35.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $37.07 by ($1.71). The company had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.41 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 13.56% and a negative return on equity of 56.07%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $36.69 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on AZO shares. DA Davidson boosted their price target on AutoZone from $4,192.00 to $4,850.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on AutoZone from $3,830.00 to $4,350.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $3,811.00 price target on AutoZone in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $4,100.00 price target (up previously from $3,850.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on AutoZone from $4,025.00 to $4,260.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $4,087.00.

Insider Transactions at AutoZone

In related news, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 4,800 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,660.00, for a total transaction of $17,568,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 159 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $581,940. This trade represents a 96.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof sold 750 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,597.13, for a total value of $2,697,847.50. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 406 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,460,434.78. This represents a 64.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 35,662 shares of company stock valued at $131,999,089. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About AutoZone

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.